independence day - 15 augusttndipr.gov.in/pdf/ta/2019/aug_2019_eng.pdfaugust 2019 tamilarasu 3...

Tamilarasu 3August 2019

Independence Day message of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami on 14.08.2019 (English Translation)

I extend my Independence Day Greetings to all the people of our Country on this historic day of Independence from the British rule.

Thousands of freedom fighters, under the leadership of Father of the Nation Annal Gandhi Adigal, sacrificed their lives and belongings and got freedom to our Country from British rule through non-violence. This Independence day is the day when we have to recall the sacrifices of those heroic freedom fighters. It is our prime duty to cherish and protect the freedom that the selfless freedom fighters got us after great struggle.

By way of honouring the freedom fighters who fought for our Country’s freedom, the Tamil Nadu Government which functions on the lines of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, has increased the monthly pension to them from Rs.13,000 to Rs.15,000; the family pension to their heirs from Rs.6,500 to Rs.7,500; the monthly special pension to the heirs of Veerapandia Kattabomman, Marudhu Brothers, Muthuramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathy and to the wife of V.O.Chidambaranar’s grandson from Rs.6,500 to Rs.7,500. The Government is

implementing several schemes for them like issue of bus pass at no cost, construction of memorials to them such as ‘Manimandapams’ for Thiyagi Subramaniya Siva, Thiyagi Veerapandia Kattabomman, Thiyagi Sundaralinganar, Memorial Mandapams for Thiyagi Vanchinathan, Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and monuments for Veera Thai Kuyili and Thiyagi Dheeran Chinnamalai, for honouring them and to enable the future generations to know about their sacrifices, declaring open and installing the portrait of freedom fighter Ramasamy Padayatchiyar in the Legislative Assembly, erecting statues for them at important places and conducting celebrations on behalf of the Government on their birth anniversaries.

On this day, let all the people of Tamil Nadu take a pledge to discard caste and communal differences, work with a sense of brotherhood and unity and make India a super power and Tamil Nadu, the premier State in the Country. Once again, I extend my Independence Day good wishes to all.

Independence Day - 15th August

Tamilarasu4 August 2019

Publication of Information & Public Relations Department

Thiruvalluvar Year - 2050Vikari Varudam : Aadi - Aavani

August 2019Vol. 51 Rs.20 Issue: 2

Editor and PublisherDr. P. Sankar I.A.S., Director of Information & Public Relations and Ex-officio Additional Secretary to Government

Administrative Editor R. Rajasekaran Deputy Director (Publications) (FAC)

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We are commoners but with the intellectual acumen of the great people of this State and with tireless exertion, we will achieve all that we need to achieve.

Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami- Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

First Wrapper

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami hoisted the National Flag on the ramparts

of Fort St. George at the Secretariat on the

occasion of the 73rd Independence Day on

15.08.2019 and paid his respects.

Amma’s Government aims to make

Tamil Nadu a water surplus State ................... 05

Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurates

Salem Government exhibition ........................ 17

Hon’ble Chief Minister opens Buildings

for Public Health Department in 8 Districts

at a cost of Rs. 9.60 crore ................................ 32

Amma’s Government at the forefront

of implementing pro-farmer schemes ............. 36

Hon’ble Chief Minister assures all facilities

to Police Department, full-backing in fight

against crime ................................................. 48

Two lakh handloom weavers to benefit from 10 % hike in Dearness Allowance .......... 78


My obeisance to Goddess Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Thiru. O. Panneerselvam, Hon’ble Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Thiru. P. Dhanapal, Hon’ble Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Hon’ble Ministers, Hon’ble Judges of the Madras High Court, Hon’ble Leader of

the Opposition, Tamil Nadu Government’s Special Representative at New Delhi, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Hon’ble Members of Legislative Assembly, former Ministers, Tamil Nadu Government’s Chief Secretary Thiru. K. Shanmugam, High Officials of Tamil Nadu Government, Director General of Police Thiru. J.K. Tripathy, High Officials of the Police Department, High Officials of

Independence Day Speech of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami on 15.08.2019. (English Translation)


the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Central Reserve Police Force, esteemable Thiyagis worthy of our respect who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the cause of the Motherland during the freedom struggle, Chairpersons of Government undertakings, former Members of Parliament and Legislature, Respected Elders, Ladies, Youth, Students, Newspaper and Media friends,

My affectionate regards and seventy-third Independence Day greetings to all of you.

With the blessings of Hon’ble Amma and the support of Tamil Nadu people, I am extremely happy to hoist for the third time the sacred National Flag, symbol of sacrifice and peace, from the ramparts of the Fort.

Even before the Country attained freedom, National Poet Bharathiyar, sang passionately and prophetically: “Aaduvome – pallu paaduvome/Aananda suthanthiram adainthu vittom endru” (“Let us dance and sing that we have attained Independence”). Through the lines “Engum sudhanthiram yenpadhe pechu – naam ellorum samam enbathu urudhiyaachu”, Mahakavi Bharathiyar thundered that independence and equality were synonyms.

Independence Day is a joyous and festive event entwined with our emotions, and we should all celebrate it with togetherness.

Annal Gandhi Adigal led the freedom struggle, fought the foreigners on righteous lines and got Independence to our country. Tamil Nadu played a great role in the struggle to expel the British from our soil and smash the chains of slavery. Countless people laid

down their lives to protect our motherland from foreigners. While honouring their great sacrifices, I consider it my duty to mention a few of those heroes and thank them.

Innumerable leaders, poets and artists like Veeran Poolithevan, Veerapandia Kattabomman, Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, Marudhu brothers, Maaveeran Dheeran Chinnamalai, Bahadur Vellaiya Thevan, Veeran Azhagu Muthukone, Chekkizhuttha Chemmal V.O.Chidambaranar, Kodi Kaatha Tiruppur Kumaran, Veerathaai Kuyili, Virupatchi Gopala Naicker, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, Thiyagi Srinivasa Rao, Omandur Ramasamy Reddiar, Thiyagi Viswanatha Das, Kanniyathirkuriya Quaid–e– Millath, Kandhavarayan, Chandavarayan, Mayuram Nagappa Padayachi, Sardar Adikesavalu Naicker, Rebel Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, Va.Ve.Su. Ayyar, Jaihind Shenbagaraman, Veeran Sundaralingam, Veera Murasu Subramaniya Siva, Thanthai Periyar, Mootharignar Rajaji, Dheerar Sathyamurthy, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar and Thillaiyadi Valliammai made countless sacrifices and also spread patriotism. As flames of sacrifice, they still light up India.

By way of honouring their sacrifices and helping the future generations to recall and honour their dedication, the Tamil Nadu Government has set up 35 ‘manimandapams’ for them, installed their statues at important places and conducts celebrations for them.

Perarignar Anna said: ‘Let us not stop with celebrating the attainment of Independence


and our capacity to safeguard it; let us march forward – with determination, enthusiasm and hope – towards that goal which will make us declare with pride that we got Independence and we enjoy a happy life’.

Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R.’s rule was towards that goal and he took up ‘Peace, Unity and Development’ as the principles to achieve it. Hon’ble Idaya Deivam Amma, further embellished it as ‘Peace, Prosperity and Progress’. With the ‘taraka’ mantra of our great leaders as the foundation, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has majestically risen as a steel fort.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government that functions on the lines of Hon’ble Amma, too, is focussing on implementing schemes that are beneficial to the people of Tamil Nadu. I wish to outline a few of them here.

� Last November, ‘Gaja’ cyclone caused extensive damage in the Delta Districts.

The precautionary measures taken by the Tamil Nadu Government saved human lives to a large extent. Post cyclone, people’s life could be brought to normalcy very quickly since the Government machinery was fully geared for it. Rehabilitation works in those areas continue. For the first time, a kit containing all essential commodities was distributed to all affected people. I once again thank Hon’ble Ministers, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and the Legislature, Officers, NGOs, the general public and all workers who toiled day and night.

� To meet the drinking water needs of Chennai city, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. brought Krishna water; Hon’ble Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma brought Veeranam water.

� The functional de-salination plants at Minjur and Nemmeli are the outcomes of the steps taken by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.


� I have laid the foundation stone for yet another de-salination plant costing Rs.1,259.38 crore at Nemmeli and works are on.

� Preliminary works are under way for the setting up of a de-salination plant at Perur at a cost of Rs.6,078.40 crore.

� Water is essential for a country’s prosperity. Rain water has to be conserved. Water resources should be protected. Through these steps, drinking water, man’s basic need, should be ensured. This is the great challenge that the State faces today. To face such a challenge, Hon’ble Amma, started the rain water harvesting scheme in the year 2003 itself. Its intensive implementation helped the groundwater table to rise. Hon’ble Amma’s Government is acting on a war footing to implement this scheme in full swing. On this occasion, I request the people to extend full co-operation to this.

� Re-cycling of sewage water for supply to industrial units was implemented by Hon’ble Amma in 1993 itself and it is in vogue. Such treatment stations have been set up at Koyambedu and Kodungaiyur and they will become operational shortly.

� Hon’ble Amma’s Government proposes to announce a policy for treatment and recycling of used water. As per this policy, Government will take steps to treat the water used by people and supply it to industries and for other usages. Also, permission for construction of new industrial units

and multi-storeyed buildings will be made conditional on construction of treatment station for re-cycling of the used water for re-usage. This will conserve water greatly.

� Dredging of Poondi, Chembarambakkam, Sholavaram and Red Hills reservoirs – the drinking water sources for Chennai - is on for increasing their capacity.

� The Central Government has been urged to implement quickly the Godavari-Cauvery river link scheme. This link will provide a good solution to agriculture and drinking water problems in many Districts in Tamil Nadu.

� On the lines of the Restoration Scheme of the Ganga, Hon’ble Amma’s Government is taking steps to restore the Cauvery river by implementing the scheme ‘Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery’. Likewise Hon’ble Amma’s Government will take adequate steps to prevent pollution of the Bhavani, Vaigai, Amaravathi and Thamirabarani rivers.

� Steps have been taken to protect the eco-system of many important lakes across Tamil Nadu as has been done in respect of Chetpet lake and Athipattu lake. The Pallikaranai marshland and Perungudi lake, both in Chennai, will also be likewise protected.

� In taking the above-mentioned steps to solve the water problem from various angles, Hon’ble Amma’s Government is very particular that not a drop of water


available in Tamil Nadu should go waste and it is acting very carefully. For its proper implementation, and for co-ordinating in a proper manner the steps taken for saving and conserving water resources and linking the on-going ‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme with it, I launched on 07.08.2019, an intensive people’s movement, the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation and Augmentation Mission. Just as Hon’ble Amma made Tamil Nadu a ‘power surplus’ state, this Mission will shortly transform the state into a ‘water surplus’ state. Through these schemes, I wish to state, there will be no water scarcity in future even if the monsoon fails. I wish to stress that people

should extend their co-operation in a big way for this Mission.

Similarly, through many legal battles and demands for establishing Tamil Nadu’s rights and protecting Tamil Nadu people’s interest :

� The Cauvery Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee were set up by the Central Government. Finding a permanent solution for the Cauvery issue that defied solution for a long number of years, is a historic accomplishment. Even if the ‘Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal’, set up by the Central Government now, starts operating, the above two bodies, set up by the Supreme Court already will continue to function.


� The long standing demand of Tamil Nadu Government was realized and Supreme Court judgments in Tamil, were received for the first time.

Perarignar Anna passed a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 23.01.1968 which read: “This House resolves to remove the three-language formula in all schools in Tamil Nadu, adopt the two languages Tamil and English and remove the Hindi language altogether”. In a similar vein, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. also passed a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 13.11.1986, supporting the two-language policy. Hon’ble Amma also stated: “We are firm that Hindi should not be imposed on the people of non-Hindi speaking State and also firm in opposing and defeating such attempts”.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government also is firm on the two language policy. I firmly state that Hon’ble Amma’s Government will oppose any scheme that affects the people of Tamil Nadu and will remain at the forefront in safeguarding people’s interests.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government is working resolutely to achieve before 2030 the sustainable development goals adopted by the UN, and to thus take Tamil Nadu on the path of growth at the global level. To realize this purpose, Hon’ble Amma’s Government is implementing many welfare schemes.

Prime Minister’s crop insurance scheme will be implemented this year covering

a greater area and benefiting more agriculturists, at a cost of Rs.634.74 crore. In the last 2 years, the Tamil Nadu Government got for farmers Rs.5,410.67 crore as compensation for crop loss.

The ‘Supply Chain Management Scheme’ proposed to be implemented through 25 farmer-producer set ups in 10 Districts at a cost of Rs.400 crore for preserving highly perishable agri-products will be extended to 5 more Districts at a cost of Rs.100 crore.

Besides taking speedy action to protect the maize crops in 17 Districts in Tamil Nadu, affected by the Fall Armyworm in 2018, a relief of Rs.186.25 crore was also given to farmers. To raise on a large scale palm (Panai) trees that protect the groundwater table, 2.5 crore palm seeds are to be distributed to farmers this year at a cost of Rs.10 crore. Steps are being taken to set up a modern livestock park of international standards on 900 acres at Thalaivasal, Salem District. The Park, among other things, will address procedures and technology in livestock maintenance, dairy and fisheries development. To procure quality milk from farmers and make it available to people without delay, 5 new milk producer unions with headquarters at Karur, Dharmapuri, Theni, Thoothukkudi and Cuddalore were created recently. Now, the District Co-operative milk Producer Union at Vellore will be bifurcated and a new Tiruvannamalai District Co-operative Milk Producer Union will be created.


To foster the mental well-being of Police Personnel who maintain Tamil Nadu as a garden of peace by their tireless work round-the-clock, and the welfare of their families, a ‘Police Wellness Training Scheme’ is being implemented.

Following the success of the Global Investors Meet held at Chennai in 2015, a second such event was held this year. I am happy to inform that industrial investment to the tune of Rs.3,00,431 crore, capable of creating 10.50 lakh job opportunities, has been attracted through 304 memoranda of understanding.

Though Tamil Nadu’s present power requirement is 15,600 MWs to 16,100 MWs, the installed capacity is 18,300 MWs and the State shines as a Power Surplus State. This is

due to the efforts put in by Hon’ble Amma from the year 2011 and in continuation by Hon’ble Amma’s Government. A target of installation of solar power plants with a total capacity of 9,000 MW before 2023 has been fixed. On account of such a series of actions, even the peak hour demands for power in this year’s summer have been fulfilled without any hassle.

The insurance cover per family, through the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, has been increased from Rs.2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh from December 2018. To remove pregnant women’s anemia and improve the birth weight of babies, two ‘Amma mother-child care kits’ with iron tonic and nutritious articles costing Rs.4,000 are supplied through the Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Assistance Scheme.


Well aware of the fact that education is not rote learning alone but instilling creativity in learners, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has brought about new syllabi up to the 12th standard. In the current financial year, a very large allocation of Rs.28,957.62 crore has been made for school education. I am proud to say that the different schemes, implemented by Hon’ble Amma’s Government in the educational field, have greatly brought down the number of non-school going children and curbed the phenomenon of drop-outs. “My aim is that more than 50 per cent should have collegiate education”, declared Hon’ble Amma. With that intention Hon’ble Amma started 65 colleges. This Government that follows in Hon’ble Amma’s footsteps has started 12 Government Arts and Science Colleges and 5 Polytechnic Colleges. This pushed up the percentage of students pursuing higher education to 48.6 and I am proud to say that Tamil Nadu shines as the premier state in the entire Country in admission to higher education.

Tamil Nadu occupied the first place, in the country, continuously for 4 years – 2014 to 2017 –in attracting inland and foreign tourists. Hon’ble Amma’s Government has given administrative sanction for the implementation of the second stage of metro rail project at a cost of Rs.40,941 crore. The Japan International Co-operation Agency has agreed to provide an assistance of Rs.20,196 crore. The scheme works will be started shortly.

The 2 per cent reservation in jobs in Government and Government undertakings,

announced by me in last year’s Independence day speech for medallists/participants in recognized international sports competitions and medallists in recognized National/State-Level Sports Competitions from Tamil Nadu, has been increased to 3 per cent and on that basis, appointment orders are issued to excellent sports personnel.

Through providing bank credit of 11,448 crore to 2,95,612 Self Help Groups in 2018-2019, a record has been established. Under the Amma Two Wheeler Scheme for working women, 1,30,849 women have so far purchased two wheeler vehicles with a subsidy content of Rs.351.30 crore and benefited.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government which is interested in people’s welfare, has sanctioned funds for purchase of 5,000 new buses in the last two-and-a-half years alone. In the current financial year, 2,000 more new buses will be purchased and put on roads in the service of people. To create facilities like protected water supply, link roads, paths and street lights in Adi Dravidar residential areas, Rs.100 crore was allotted each year for the last 2 years and works are in progress.

To ensure the safety of fishermen going for deep sea fishing, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has given them NavIC and NavTEX satellite phones. To help in deep sea fishing, Tuna long liner fishing boats with modern facilities are given to fishermen with a 50 per cent subsidy, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 30 lakh. This scheme is the first of its kind scheme in the entire country.


On Nov. 1, 1956, the Tamil Nadu State (after States’ re-organization) was created. By way of honouring that day, every year, November 1 will be grandly celebrated under the name ‘Tamil Nadu Day’.

For the lakhs of devotees gathering at Kancheepuram, to have darshan of Arulmigu Athivaradhar, facilities like adequate safety, transport, drinking water, medical and annadhanam have been provided and arrangements for darshan have been made. I wish to point out here that utilizing the various facilities given by the Tamil Nadu Government, about one crore devotees had the darshan.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government will provide a special financial assistance of Rs.2,000 per family after the census of about 60 lakh workers families living below poverty line is completed.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government is implementing the ‘Handloom Support Programme’ at a cost of Rs.40 crore per year. Under the scheme, financial assistance is given to handloom weavers for effecting technological and design improvements, product diversification, popularizing logo, market expansion and towards working capital. Every year, about 10,000 weavers are directly benefited.

“I am by the people; I am for the people” proclaimed Hon’ble Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. In the present regime, this Government goes to the people and solves their problems. Hence, as a special programme, apart from the other existing grievance redressing mechanisms, Chief Minister’s Special Grievance Redressal Scheme is to be held in August and September. Through this programme, grievances listed in petitions will be settled within a month.

The ban on one time ‘use and throw’ plastic goods came into effect from 01.01.2019. The Tamil Nadu


of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme and for computerization of the Public Distribution System; its Renewable Energy Department has won awards; the State has won awards for quality medical services and best performance in organ transplantation surgery, its Transport Corporations and Municipalities and Social Welfare Department have won awards for best performance.

By way of honouring the Thiyagis who laid down their lives for the Independence of India, I am happy to announce that the Thiyagi pension will be increased from Rs.15,000 to Rs.16,000 and the family pension to the heirs of freedom fighters from Rs.7,500 to Rs.8,000.

Let us take a vow on this good day to develop this free country, obtained out of the sacrifices of our forefathers, in all fields, and make it a Super Power and work for the rise of Tamil Nadu as a premier State in India in all spheres. Let us take a pledge that we will create a strong, vibrant, prosperous Tamil Nadu for our people to embrace a very happy and fulfilling life.

Vaazhga Anna Naamam! Valarga Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. avargal pugazh! Onguha Puratchi Thalaivi Amma avargalin Keerthi! Thodarga Manbumigu Amma avargalin Aatchi!

Vaazhga Bhaaratha Mani Thirunaadu, Valarga Senthamizhnaadu!

Nandri! Vanakkam!

Government is making all efforts to implement it fully. I affectionately request the people and traders to continue their support to the initiatives of the Government in the interest of future generations.

In deference to the requests of Hon’ble Ministers, MLAs and the general public for the division of the huge Vellore District, and for administrative convenience, the District will be divided into a District with Vellore as headquarters, a new one with Tirupattur as headquarters and a third new District with Ranipet as headquarters. Moreover, in Vellore District, a new Taluk with K.V.Kuppam as headquarters will also be created.

We are very, very ordinary people; with your co-operation, what we have achieved is very big; compared to what we have to achieve, this is very, very small.

We are commoners; still, we will achieve what we have to achieve with the great intellectual acumen and tireless work of the people of this State.

‘India Today’ magazine has given 4 awards to Tamil Nadu for overall performance and eminence in the maintenance of law and order and tourism. At the National level, Tamil Nadu got many awards: 3 Police Stations in the State were adjudged and awarded as being the best ones in the Country; Krishi Karman awards were won by the Agriculture Department; Tamil Nadu won awards for the implementation


The Tamil Nadu Government’s A.P.J. Abdul Kalam award goes to ISRO’s Chairperson Dr.K.Sivan. The award carries a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh, an 8 gm gold medallion and a citation. Due to unavoidable circumstances Dr.Sivan was unable to receive the award today. On some other day, he will receive it, directly from the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

Kalpana Chawla Award for sustained bravery and gallantry- A medal, cheque for Rs. 5 lakh and citation.-Tmt. P. Ramyalakshmi, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department, Cuddalore.

Chief Minister Special award for extra-ordinary courage – Tmt. Senthamarai Thiru. P. Shanmugavelu couple, Kadayam Panchayat, Tirunelveli District;

Chief Minister Good Governance awards - Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate – for developing CCTV cum Facetagr application for detection of crimes in Chennai city; Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department -

for restoring Naganadhi river in Vellore District through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme; Commercial Tax Department – for offering information necessary for switching over to GST, developing an app and setting up a Help Centre.

Citation for Good Governance – Greater Chennai Corporation (Park Division) – for setting up an Infinity Park at Santhome, Chennai for Differently abled children.

Tamil Nadu Government’s Awards for service to the Differently abled:- For the Best Service Orgnization –The ‘Opportunity School’ for the mentally retarded children at Vepery, Chennai; For the Best Doctor – Dr. S. Vetrivel Chezhian, Director, Paralysis and Accident Treatment Institute, Coimbatore; Dr. V. Ramadevi Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital; For providing maximum job opportunities to the differently abled in the private sector – Everest Stabilizers (P) Ltd., at Teynampet, Chennai.


Best Social Worker Award – To Tmt. Chandra Prasad, Co-founder of Pathway, Thiruvanmiyur;

Best District Central Co-operative Bank – Salem District Central Co-operative Bank. Chairman of the Bank, R. Elangovan receives the medal and certificate.

Best Social Worker Award – Thiru. M.Soosai Marian.

Chief Minister awards for the Best Local Bodies: Salem Municipal Corporation selected as the best Corporation - gets Rs.25 lakh;

Best Municipality – First prize - Dharmapuri – gets Rs.15 lakh as award; Second prize – Vedaranyam- Rs. 10 lakh; Third prize – Aranthangi – Rs. 5 lakh;

Best Town Panchayats – First prize – T.Kallupatti Town Panchayat, Madurai District; Second prize –Nannilam, Tiruvarur District; Third prize – Bhavanisagar, Erode District;

Chief Minister State Youth Awards: (Males) – Thiru. P. Navinkumar of Namakkal District; Thiru. M.Ananda Kumar of Dindigul District; (Females) – Selvi R. Kalaivani, Madurai District.

News in Picture

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, on 03.08.2019, paid homage by sprinkling flower petals on a portrait of freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai,

placed near his statue at Thiru.Vi.Ka. Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai, in connection with his anniversary. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Thiru. O.Panneerselvam, MLA Thiru.

Virugai V.N.Ravi, former Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Dr.M.Thambidurai, Chief Secretary to Government Thiru. K.Shanmugam I.A.S., Director, Information and Public Relations Department

Dr. P.Sankar I.A.S. and other High Officials of Government participated in the event.


Inaugural Speech of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the Salem Government Exhibition held at Anna

Kalaiarangam, Corporation Grounds, Salem on 04.08.2019. (English Translation)

Bowing to Goddess Hon’ble Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma,

I convey my humble respects to all who have come to this excellent exhibition.

The duty of a Government that really seeks people’s welfare is to frame schemes that raise the quality of their lives by implementing the schemes in an excellent manner, said Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. Keeping the prosperity of Tamil Nadu and welfare of its people as her sole goal, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma

achieved great things by implementing many welfare schemes and developmental works. Our Government, that functions on the lines of Amma, also continues to implement people’s welfare programmes and developmental works. It is the Information and Public Relations Department that educates the people about the details of these schemes. In this way, the Information and Public Relations Department acts as a bridge between the Government and the people.


The purpose of holding Government exhibitions is to convey to the people details of the Government’s schemes and achievements, and the works being done Department-wise, by erecting pavilions for each Department. These exhibitions are held every year on festive occasions in the Districts, when people congregate in large numbers. This helps dissemination of information about Government schemes in a big way. Details about all the schemes that the Government has brought in can be understood through the respective Department pavilions in the exhibition. If you visit these pavilions, you will come to know in a graphic way how many schemes Amma’s Government has given from Amma’s days. I wish to particularly mention that these exhibitions are very useful in this way.

The pioneering move to hold Government exhibitions was made during the rule of former Chief Minister Hon’ble Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. through an order to conduct such a Government exhibition at Salem on 06.08.1978. He declared it open himself. This is a matter of pride. I consider it a matter of pride and am extremely happy that an opportunity

to inaugurate the exhibition he had opened has come to me, a son of the soil of Salem District, who rose to become the Chief Minister from a humble party worker of Ponmana Chemmal Puratchi Thalaivar Dr.M.G.R.

I wish to mention a few of the special works carried out by the Information and Public Relations Department. So far, 36 exhibitions have been conducted in Salem. Throughout Tamil Nadu, 204 Government exhibitions have been held from 1978. The ongoing 205th and the 206th exhibitions at Tirunelveli and Kancheepuram respectively were declared open on 22nd and 29th June 2019. The Government has earned an income of Rs.39.01 crore from the 204 concluded exhibitions. Earlier, only 15 Government Departments took part in the Government exhibitions. Following Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s order for the participation of 12 more Departments, I am happy to inform that a total of 27 Departments participate in Government exhibitions through their own pavilions.


Public sector undertakings like Electricity Board, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, Pollution board, Village Industries Board, Co-optex, Aavin, TAHDCO, Salem Municipal Corporation, Women’s Development Corporation and Salt Corporation have also participated in the exhibition through their pavilions. Every year, 10 Government exhibitions are conducted. When Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma was Chief Minister, exhibitions were held every year in the headquarters of six Districts – Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli and Tiruchirapalli – for earning revenue to Government and for the benefit of people of all Districts. Also exhibitions are held in 4 more Districts every year on rotation basis for the benefit of people of other Districts.

Tamil Nadu’s tableau in the Republic Day pageantry this year (2019), depicted Mahatma Gandhi’s decision taken at Madurai in 1921, for adopting half attire shedding his formal dress. The ‘karagattam’ folk dance, arranged by the Information and Public Relations Department accompanying the float, was appreciated

widely and earned Tamil Nadu the first prize at the National level.

This Department participates on behalf of Tamil Nadu Government every year, at the India International Trade Fair held at New Delhi, and educates Governments and people of other States regarding Tamil Nadu’s policies, developmental works and achievements, through photos and exhibits. I am proud to say that Tamil Nadu’s pavilion at the Trade Fair held in 2018 was given a certificate as the best pavilion. It is also continuously participating, on behalf of Tamil Nadu Government, in the Festival of Flowers at New Delhi every year to stress the Indian sub-continent’s religious integration and communal harmony and got the first prize from 2012 to 2018 continuously.

To benefit all sections of people, the Government is implementing many schemes like housing, agricultural programmes, health schemes for poor people to get high quality treatment, road facilities for transportation and for weavers’ development. Through this event, I am declaring open the completed works. I wish to mention a few of them:-


Eight scheme works completed by the District Rural Development Agency of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, at a cost of Rs.85.95 lakh from the MLA constituency development fund; a school building with 12 classrooms, 1 science laboratory and 3 toilets at the Jalakandapuram Government girls higher secondary school under NABARD Plan at a cost of Rs.2.28 crore a school building with 8 classrooms, 1 science laboratory, 2 toilets, drinking water facility and a compound wall at the K.Morur Government higher Secondary school, Omalur at a cost of Rs.1.89 crore a school building with 4 classrooms, 1 science laboratory, 2 toilets, drinking water facility and a compound wall at Periya Krishnapuram Government High School, Peddanaickenpalayam at a cost of Rs.1.08 crore – totally 3 scheme works in 3 schools at a cost of Rs.5.25 crore on behalf of the Department of School Education;

Black topping of a stretch of 4 k.m. long road from Neyyamalai foothills bus stop to Neyyamalai Village, Peddanaickenpalayam at a cost of Rs.3.65 crore (Forest Department); 3 micro nutrient yards in Mettur Municipality under the Swach Bharat scheme at a cost of Rs.2.02 crore (Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply); 3 new health sub-centre buildings at Karumanthurai, Maniyarkundam and Thalvallam at a cost of Rs.90 lakh at the rate of Rs.30 lakh each (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine); new veterinary dispensary building at West Rajapalayam, Peddanaickenpalayam at a cost of Rs.31.50 lakh (Animal Husbandry Department) – I am happy to have declared open, totally 19 schemes, completed at a cost of Rs.13.40 crore.

We have distributed, through this event, welfare assistance of various Departments: Subsidy assistance to 500 beneficiaries for construction of houses under the Chief Minister


Solar Power Green House Scheme and Prime Minister Housing Scheme, to the tune of Rs.9.42 crore (District Rural Development Agency of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj); 1,359 laptops, costing Rs.1.66 crore to as many number of teachers, taking 11th and 12th standard classes in 154 Government schools in Salem District to help them teach effectively through the use of QR-CODE in the text book on Technology under the new syllabus (School Education Department); credit facility to the tune of Rs.3.90 lakh from the forest committees fund of the Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project to 24 beneficiaries (Forest Department); crop loan to 263 persons, medium-term loan to 62 persons, loan to 26 self help groups with a membership of 322 persons and joint liability group assistance to 7 teams with a membership of 45 – totally different types of loans to the extent of Rs.3.47 crore to 692 persons (Co-operation Department); Rs.1.47 crore - assistance under

the Social Security Scheme to 4,050 workers in the un-organized sector towards scholarship, marriage, natural death and funeral expenses, maternity, crippling accidents, provision of spectacles and the like (Labour and Employment Department); Rs.32.90 lakh revolving fund to 329 women self help groups with a membership of 3,948 persons, Rs.50 lakh two-wheeler purchase subsidy to 200 women under the working women Amma Two-Wheeler subsidy scheme (Women Development Scheme); old age pension to 140 persons, old age pension under Farmers Security Scheme to 5 persons, widow assistance to 16 persons, differently-abled person assistance to 10 persons and house site pattas to 192 persons at no cost – totally Rs.27.55 lakh to 363 beneficiaries (Revenue Department); Rs.12.71 lakh towards marriage and monthly assistance to 45 differently abled persons (Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department); sewing machines, costing Rs.84,000 to 9 beneficiaries (Adi Dravidar


Welfare); Rs.10 lakh prize to Athur Panchayat Union and Ammapalayam Panchayat under the Prize Scheme for social harmony; equipment for silk worm rearing and farm implements, costing Rs.10.50 lakh to 20 beneficiaries (Silk Development Department); various welfare assistances including micro irrigation subsidy to the extent of Rs.26.80 lakh for 50 beneficiaries (Horticulture Department); value adding equipment subsidy of Rs.10 lakh to Vanavasi Vallalar Farmer Producer Company (Agricultural Engineering Department); various welfare assistances including that for sprinkler irrigation, valued Rs.6.32 lakh to 51 farmers (Agriculture Department); sewing machines and iron boxes valued at Rs.1.47 lakh , at no cost to 20 beneficiaries (Backward and Minorities Welfare Department); Electronic family cards to 238 persons (Food and Consumer Protection Department) - all together, various welfare assistances to the extent of Rs.17.96 crore

are to be distributed through this function to 11,571 beneficiaries.

I am giving out all these details because opposition partymen make the criticism that nothing has taken place in this rule. Through this event, 11,571 persons have benefited in one day alone and in this District alone. I am happy to note that the schemes I have mentioned have turned into a welfare distribution event in this exhibition for all sections of the people. The media should take note of it and publish the details. The Opposition continues to say that nothing is happening in this regime. I declare publicly before you, not once but many times, that all these things are taking place. Over and above this, I have to mention the schemes proposed to be executed.

Thirumanimutharu river cleansing project: All the sewage water of Salem District drains into Thirumanimutharu river. This river goes up to Namakkal District, filling up many lakes en route and polluting all of them. To prevent it,


Amma’s Government is taking action through the Salem Municipal Corporation. I am happy to say that sewage treatment plants will be set up at Anaimedu, Vellakuttai, Mankuttai and Vandipettai. I am happy to mention that this entire scheme has been included under underground sewage schemes and Rs.263 crore has been allotted. Hereafter, sewage water flowing out of Salem Municipal Corporation area will be treated and let into Thirumanimutharu.

Farmers in Salem District have met me many times and presented petitions. Likewise, Members of the Legislature, respected Thiruvalargal Semmalai, Vetrivel and Raja have made representations. By way of benefiting the farmers in the constituencies of these MLAs and in my constituency, it is proposed to fill up 100 lakes with the surplus waters of the Mettur Dam through lift irrigation at a cost of Rs.565 crore. This work will also be executed quickly. When these lakes are filled up, the ground water table will rise and water for irrigation will become available. It is Amma’s Government that is taking such steps.

Our Government is putting in intensive efforts for the implementation of the Cauvery-Godavari Link scheme. The Central Government has started preparing a detailed project report for this. It is our Government that is taking steps to make available 125 t.m.c. ft. of water to delta farmers through this scheme.

When I met the Hon’ble Prime Minister, I requested him to implement a Cauvery Rejuvenation scheme also, on the lines of

the Ganga Rejuvenation scheme, so that the Cauvery river does not get polluted through the mixing up of dirty water from other rivers. The Hon’ble Prime Minister endorsed the plea and announced through the recent address of His Excellency the President of India, that steps would be taken to avert pollution of the Cauvery. I thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister on behalf of Tamil Nadu people for this gesture. Amma’s Government proposes to implement rejuvenation not only for the Cauvery river, but also for Bhavani, Amaravathi, Vaigai and Thamirabarani rivers.

Steps are being taken to dredge more than 14,000 lakes under the PWD through the long-term ‘kudimaramathu’ Scheme, so that monsoon rain waters are stored fully and this in turn, raises the groundwater table. The scheme was launched in 2016-2017 and in the first phase, dredging of 1,519 lakes at a cost of Rs.100 crore was taken up. Seeing the great response from farmers for the scheme, 1,511 lakes were taken up for 2017-2018 for dredging at a cost of Rs.328 crore. For 2018-2019, 1,829 lakes were taken up and Rs.500 crore was allotted. Amma’s Government has taken steps for de-silting of lakes in Panchayat Unions. To mark the commencement of the first phase of works, I inaugurated the de-silting of a minor irrigation lake, under the control of the Rural Development Department in Oorambakkam Village, Manjankarani Panchayat and a PWD-owned lake at Manapakkam, both in Tiruvallur District, on 07.08.2019 under the Water Resources Conservation Mission.


The credit of starting three new Law colleges so as to enable students from the poor, oppressed and depressed classes to study Law, goes to Amma. Amma’s Government has started three Law colleges this year. One of these colleges is Salem District Law College.

The Central Government has permitted the setting up of a bus port in Salem District and the work of preparing a detailed project report has been started. Work on the first flyover in Salem District – from A.V.R. Roundtana to Hasthampatti – was inaugurated by me recently and it is in progress. It is our Government that is constructing railway overbridges at all railway level-crossings and bridges at all traffic-congested places.

Not merely in Salem District, but in all other places afflicted with drinking water problem across the State, our Government supplies water through the combined water supply scheme.

It is Amma’s Government that has constructed more ‘manimandapams’ and erected more statues to enhance the glory of patriots who toiled for the sake of the Nation.

Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma set up manimandapams and statues for those who toiled for the Nation, those who fought and got Independence for the Nation, by respecting and glorifying them. Likewise, our Government has also erected statues and manimandapams for more patriots and to those who laid down their lives in the cause of the Nation. No other Government has set up so many statues and manimandapams to patriots.

A long-standing dream of mine was to erect statues in Salem District for both Ponmana Chemmal Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. and Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. This has also been achieved with the blessings of these leaders and your blessings. With the help of MPs and MLAs, 2 wonderful bronze statues have been erected and thereby I have added glory to this place. This is one of the great joys of my life.

A wrong news has been carried in an English daily and in ‘Dinakaran’ newspaper. I wish to clarify the newspaper article on the Auditor and Comptroller General’s report over the fund utilization in Central Government’s schemes, mentioned in the 2017-2018 State budget. Since it is a wrong news and casts a slur on the Government, I consider it the Government’s duty to give a clarification.

Some newspapers have projected a wrong view that the Auditor and Comptroller General, in his report for the year 2017-2018 on the State Government’s Budget, had mentioned that the Tamil Nadu Government had returned Central Government’s subsidy to the extent of Rs.3,600 crore without utilizing it. Every year, when Budget Estimates are prepared, allocations for Central Government Schemes are made to the extent the funds are expected from the Centre. Through this, these schemes can be implemented immediately. This allocation is released for scheme works on the basis of receipt of subsidy released by the Central Government for that financial year. If the expected fund for some schemes does not come from the Central Government, the allocation made in the State


Budget for those schemes will not be released for that year but kept as savings. The next year, when the Centre releases funds, the State Government allocates funds for those schemes. In such instances, to say that the funds are returned to Centre without utilization, is a wrong perception.

For example, on the basis of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, an allocation of Rs.1,516.12 crore was made for 2017-2018 towards basic subsidies to Village Panchayats. But the Central Government released only Rs.758.06 crore as first instalment. So, the State Government could not release the second instalment of Rs.758.06 crore. That amount is taken as savings. Due to the efforts taken by the State Government in 2018-2019, the funds were obtained from the Central Government and were released to State Panchayats.

Similarly, for the Prime Minister Rural Housing Scheme, the allocation for the 2017-2018 Budget was determined on the basis of the funds released by the Centre in the previous years. But in 2017-2018, there was a reduction in the receipt of funds from the Centre. So, the allocation made in the State Budget for 2017-2018 could not be properly released. This amount was released in 2018-2019. Hence, there is a possibility of keeping the fund as savings for schemes like these, in situations where Central Government funds are not received. But, when funds are received from the Centre the next year, the State Government takes

steps to release those funds to implement those schemes in a proper way. So, I categorically State that at no time did a situation arise when the State had to return the funds received from the Centre without utilizing it.

Such instances have occurred during the DMK’s rule also. I have data on them. For hitting the headlines, news has been published to create an image that Central Government funds have been returned. These reports are not true. The State Government is fully utilizing the funds given by the Central Government. As I have mentioned, in some categories, non-receipt of Central Government funds in time, delays the implementation of the schemes.

The pavilions here have been set up in an excellent manner. As the Information and Public Relations Minister has Stated, the exhibits are not merely entertaining but bring alive the schemes being implemented by the Government. Besides people in our District, I urge people in the neighbouring Districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Namakkal and Erode to visit this exhibition. As the Information and Public Relations Department is working tirelessly round-the-clock, my heartfelt thanks to all the personnel manning this Department. My thanks to all the good-hearted persons who have toiled for this event and the participants – Parliament and Legislative Assembly Members, High Officials of the Government, general public, beneficiaries and the party cadre.

Nandri! Vanakkam!


Floods and landslides have occurred in Nilgiris District due to continuous heavy rains. The downpour has been especially heavy in Avalanchi which recorded 405 m.m., 820 m.m. and 911 m.m. of rain on 06.08.2019, 07.08.2019 and 08.08.2019 respectively.

I immediately ordered the District Administration to undertake rescue and relief operations in full swing. On the basis of the demand put forth by the Nilgiris District Administration, Additional State Disaster Rescue teams, National Disaster Rescue teams, Police forces, Fire Service and Rescue Department Officials, teams consisting of officials from all Departments and 66 Army

men totalling 491 members in all were involved in the rescue operations.

A total of 1,704 people, who were affected due to heavy rains and landslides, were accommodated in 28 Disaster Rescue Centres. I have ordered immediate supply of sufficient food, protected drinking water, health and medical facilities, dhotis, saree, pillows and bed-sheets, besides generator facilities for the Centres. Twenty-nine JCPs are involved in restoring areas hit by landslides and debris.

Twenty-three permanent medical teams and 13 mobile medical teams have been pressed into service to prevent diseases likely to occur

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami on 09.08.2019 (English Translation)


due to floods and rains and the teams are actively involved in relief work. In addition 30 ambulances are being kept ready for any emergency.

Thirty-six Electricity Board staff and members of the public, who were caught in the heavy rains were rescued safely. Steps have been taken to supply required food through helicopter to 40 persons, who are trapped in Avalanchi. The IAF in Sulur has been asked to be in a state of readiness for rescue operations.

I have asked both the Hon’ble Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management and Information Technology, Thiru. R.B.Udhayakumar and Additional Chief Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration / Disaster Management, Dr.K.Satyagopal I.A.S., to rush to the Nilgiris District for expediting the rescue and relief operations.

I regret to learn that Thiru. Chennan, son of Thiru. Kuppan, belonging to Kunda Division and Tmt. Vimala, wife of Thiru. Kannan, belonging to Udhagamandalam District, Tmt. Susila, wife of Arjunan and Selvi Pavana and Tmt. Amudha, daughter and wife respectively of Thiru. Krishnamurthi died due to floods and landslide caused due to heavy rains.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and taking into consideration their family circumstances, I sanction Rs. 10 lakh each to the families.


CO-OPERATION

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

1. After considering compassionately the demand of the workers of co-operative fair price shops for a hike in the family protection fund, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has decided to increase the family welfare fund amount from the present Rs.2 lakh to Rs.3 lakh in the event of death while in service.

2. The advance of Rs.5,000 being given at present from the family welfare fund for meeting the immediate needs of the family of

workers of co-operative PDS fair price shops in the event of death while in service, will be increased to Rs.25,000.

3. The monthly allowance of Rs.1,000, at present being given to differently-abled persons working in the co-operative PDS fair price shops will be increased to Rs.2,500.

4. I am happy to announce that the monthly salary of the workers of the co-operative PDS fair price shops will be credited to their bank accounts through ECS. This decision was taken after considering their demand for payment of salary through ATM.

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami under Rule 110 in the

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 20.07.2019. (English Translation)


ANIMAL HUSBANDRY


1. New Livestock sub-stations will be set up in 75 Villages where the number of livestock exceeds 3,000, at a cost of Rs.3 crore at the rate of Rs.4 lakh for each village.

2. New veterinary dispensaries will be set up in 25 Village Panchayats having more than 5,000 livestock, at a cost of Rs.3.50 crore, at the rate of Rs.14 lakh for each Panchayat.

3. Five veterinary dispensaries will be upgraded as veterinary hospitals at a cost of Rs.2.50 crore at the rate of Rs.50 lakh for each.

4. Two veterinary hospitals big hospitals will be upgraded into round-the-clock multi speciality hospitals at a cost of Rs.2.40 crore at the rate of Rs.1.20 crore for each.

INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY


Thiru. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, yesteryear’s film hero and fondly called by his fans as M.K.T. was an epoch in the history of the Tamil silver screen. A great singer known

for his amiable nature, humility and simplicity, Thiru. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar’s film career started with the film ‘Pavalakodi’ in 1934. He dominated the film world for about a quarter century, acted in many films of which ‘Haridas’ received the greatest accolades from the people.

All strata of people enjoyed his music. It is no exaggeration to say that his Carnatic music songs echo in the hearts of people of the present-day, even as they did in the past. He left his stamp on the film world by giving many box office hits.

By way of recognizing Thiru.Thyagaraja Bhgavathar’s multi-faceted contributions and achievements in the film field and in the sphere of classical music, I am happy to inform this

House, that Tamil Nadu Government will erect a ‘Manimandapam’ with his statue in Tiruchirapalli District at a cost of Rs.50 lakh.


TAMIL DEVELOPMENT


1. Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma who honoured Tamil scholars with new awards and financial assistance as never before, and this Government that functions on her lines, have so far nationalized the works of 149 scholars and given ex-gratia amount to their heirs. This year, the works of Ulundurpettai Thiru.Shanmugam, Kavignar Na. Kamarasan, Dr. R. Elavarasu, Tamil scholar Adigalasiriyar, Pulavar Eraikkuruvanar, Pandit M. Gopala Kiruttinan and Papanasam Kuralpitthan will be nationalized and dedicated to the people. Rs.35 lakh will be expended on this.

2. By way of commemorating November 1st, the day that the Tamil linguistic state was created (in 1956), every year November 1st will be grandly celebrated as ‘Tamil Nadu Day’.

3. The post of a Tamil Assistant Professor will be created on a recurring expenditure of Rs.36 lakh in the Departments of Southern Languages in Varanasi Hindu University, Gauhati University and Punjab University.

4. To spread the greatness of Thirukkural, the universal literary work on ethics will be translated into an Indian language and into one of the world languages every year at a recurring expenditure of Rs.50 lakh. This year, I wish to inform that the translation will be into the Assamese and Hebrew languages.

5. I am happy to inform that a Chair will be created in Tamil University in the name of Tamil Scholar Robert Caldwell, to do different kinds of research through a comparative study of Dravidian languages and to involve and guide Tamil scholars and students in Thiru. Caldwell’s line of comparative linguistics. This is to appreciate and honour the European Tamil scholar’s excellent services to the Tamil language. For the creation of the Chair, Rs. One crore will be allotted as a corpus fund.

6. Under the scheme for the development of integrated higher education, new building facilities, works connected with development and growth, purchase of new equipment and provision of other facilities will be undertaken in the Tamil University for the first time at a cost of Rs.20 crore.

BC, MBC AND MINORITIES WELFARE


1. In the interests of students – boys and girls – belonging to the Backward, Most Backward, Denotified Communities and minorities, this Department is running school and college hostels. Boarding and lodging are provided at no cost for students staying in these hostels and pursuing their studies. To ensure easy monitoring of student attendance in these hostels by the 3 Directorates, District Headquarters and the offices of the Joint Director of Kallar Reclamation at Madurai, through introduction of bio-metric scanning


of finger prints, bio-metric equipment, costing Rs.2.98 crore will be provided to these hostels.

2. An advance of Rs.15,000 towards attending to urgent minor repairs is being given to each of these student hostels for BC, MBC, Denotified communities and minorities from 2014-2015. This advance was hiked to Rs.20,000 in 2018-2019 to 99 college hostels functioning from buildings built at least before five years. The Government has decided to increase the present advance of Rs.15,000 and Rs.20,000 to Rs.50,000 for attending to minor repairs of electrical gadgets, water pump motor, overhead tanks, vessels, gas connection, doors and windows, sports tools, cots, for removal of clogging in drainage pipes and tanks, and for medical exigencies for students. Government will allot the expenditure of Rs.4.51 crore for this.

3. The Department provides scholarships for school and higher education. In all the scholarship schemes, the eligibility criterion is that student should belong to

Tamil Nadu and should be studying in Tamil Nadu colleges. Applications have been received for scholarship from students of Tamil Nadu, studying in Central Government educational institutions throughout India. Hence, it has been decided to provide a scholarship of Rs.2 lakh per student, belonging to the BC, MBC and Denotified communities, studying in the listed Central Government institutions of IIT, IIM,

IIIT, NIT and central universities and whose family income does not exceed Rs. 2 lakh per year. In the first phase, this scholarship will be given to 100 students and Hon’ble Amma’s Government will allot Rs.2 crore for this.

4. Of the hostels under the Department of BC, MBC and Minorities welfare, 1,277 are functioning in Government buildings and the remaining 71 from rented buildings. Of these, orders were issued for construction of own buildings to 25 hostels and the Public Works Department is at it. I am happy to inform that Hon’ble Amma’s Government will construct own buildings for 14 of the remaining 46 hostels that function from rented buildings, at a cost of Rs.38 crore.

5. In the year 2019-2020, 6 college hostels at the rate of 2 each for the BC, MBC/ De-notified Communities and Minorities will be started at an estimate of Rs.2.56 crore.


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, at the Secretariat on 31.07.2018, declared open buildings at Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, Namakkal, The Nilgiris, Tiruvallur, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli and Virudhunagar Districts, constructed at a cost of Rs.9.60 crore on behalf of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Department under the Public Health and Family Welfare Department.

The Tamil Nadu Government, following the path of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, has the lofty aim of providing high class medical facilities to the poor and the downtrodden. Towards this end, it is implementing pioneering schemes to strengthen the medical infrastructure and is providing medical equipment to Government Medical Colleges Hospitals, Government

District Headquarters Hospitals and Regional Hospitals, opening new Primary Health Centres, providing quality medical assistance to people in inaccessible areas as well as high class treatment, utilizing latest technologies.

In this way, on behalf of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Department, buildings for the upgraded PHCs in Arisipalayam and Thaliyur in Coimbatore District, Ottanatham in Thoothukudi District, Powerkadu in Namakkal District, Kethi in The Nilgiris District and Negamam in Tiruvallur District, constructed at a cost of Rs.7.20 crore;

Buildings, built at a cost of Rs.1.20 crore for two PHCs, one each in Thenurpatti in Namakkal District and Mela Ulur in Thanjavur District; buildings for Out Patient Wards, costing Rs.60 lakh at Pudur Uthamanur in


Tiruchirapalli District and buildings for upgraded PHC in Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar District, built at a cost of Rs.60 lakh. Totally, buildings constructed at a total cost of Rs.9.60 crore were declared open by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

The National Quality Assurance Standard’s Assessor team inspects Government Hospitals to find out about the services provided in Government Hospitals, gauges the Health Index, assesses Proper Maintenance, and gets feedback from patients about the treatment in hospitals under the National Quality Assurance Standards. Selected hospitals are given cash awards by the Central Government and Quality Assurance Certificate. This certificate is issued for three years continuously.

Under the scheme, 6 Government Headquarters Hospitals were selected one each in Pollachi in Coimbatore District, Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi District, Aranthangi in Pudukkottai District, Ramanathapuram, Perambalur and

Virudhunagar and the hospitals were given Rs.2.06 crore along with a certificate.

The Joint Directors of the District Health and Rural Welfare Services of Ramanathapuram, Perambalur, Coimbatore, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, and Pudukkottai Districts showed the National Quality Assurance Certificates and the cash awards, issued by the Public Health and Family Welfare Department of the Central Government, to Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, and received his blessings. The Hon’ble Chief Minister handed over the certificates and the cash prizes to the Joint Directors of the Districts concerned.

On the occasion, 18 children who were operated for heart diseases and hearing disabilities, under the Chief Minister’s Extended Medical Insurance Scheme Assurance, met Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami and sought his blessings. The Hon’ble Chief Minister handed over spare parts for hearing aids to the children who had undergone ear operations.


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, at the Secretariat on 31.07.2019, declared open buildings for the newly started Medical College in Karur, constructed at a cost of Rs.115.71 crore and also inaugurated the first year classes of the MBBS course in the college through video conferencing, on behalf of the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma made a statement in the Assembly on 12.08.2014, under Rule 110, that taking into consideration the wishes of the people of Karur, a Government Medical College would be set up in Karur, in the absence of any Government or private medical college there.

As a follow up to the announcement, the Government issued an order on 19.01.2015 for starting a medical college in Karur. In keeping with Indian Medical Council Rules, another G.O. was issued on 27.06.2018 proposing to

set up the new Medical College in Sanapiratti Village, at a cost of Rs.269.58 crore.

For the newly started Medical College, buildings, built at a cost of Rs.115.71 crore were declared open by the Hon’ble Chief Minister. He also inaugurated first year classes for the students.

As per the rules of the Indian Medical Council, new buildings required for the First Year students, administrative buildings, hostels for female and male students, quarters for the College Dean and Professors, Nurses, Resident and Non-Resident Medical Officer, Medical Superintendent and Nurse Superintendent, were all built at a cost of Rs.115.71 crore.

To provide medical equipment to the College, Rs.25.64 crore has been allotted and the procurement of equipment by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Ltd., is under progress. The required number of Professors, Doctors, Nurses, Medical Staff and


other employees would be recruited for the college and for this 985 permanent vacancies and another 57 vacancies to be filled through deputation have been created.

In the current Academic year, after getting the permission of the Indian Medical Council, 150 students were admitted in the first year course. Due to action taken by the

Tamil Nadu Government, which follows the path of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, 1,350 additional seats have been created, including 150 seats in the newly started Karur Medical College. At present there are 22 Medical Colleges in Tamil Nadu and Karur Medical College will be the 23rd Medical College in the State.

It is a matter of great pride for the Country that our Indian Scientific Community has been able to successfully place “Chandrayaan-2” in the orbit today. This is a historic achievement for India and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I extend my hearty congratulations to all the

Scientists and Engineers for placing India in the very select band of Countries, which has developed the capability for soft landing on the Moon.

This achievement will undoubtedly inspire and stimulate young minds in India to take up Scientific Research and Development.

Press Statement of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami on 22.07.2019


Speech of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, after releasing water from the Mettur Reservoir, Salem, for irrigation on 13.08.2019.

(English Translation)

With the blessings of the Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, I am happy to inform that water from the Mettur Reservoir is being released today for irrigation in the Delta Districts, as per the demand made by farmers and in the presence of farmers, Hon’ble Ministers, MPs and MLAs and members of the public.

Today, the level at the Mettur Reservoir reached 101 feet and the available storage at the reservoir is 66 t.m.c. At present about 2.30 lakh cusecs of water is arriving at the reservoir. So, we are hoping that the water will reach the full level of 120 feet soon. I was worried about the delay in arrival of monsoon and wondering how to release water from the Reservoir for irrigation.

Normally, the monsoon sets in immediately after I worship Lord Venkatesa at Tirupati. But this time, the arrival of the Monsoon was slightly delayed. With the blessings of God, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and Lord of Ezhumalai, about 2.20 lakh cusecs of water are arriving at the Mettur Reservoir. Full storage will soon be reached. I am happy to inform at this juncture that this year we will be able to meet the demand of the farmers for water. With the blessings of the Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, release of water from the reservoir will be gradually increased depending on the requirement of farmers. I am happy to inform through this water release, that farmers in Salem,


Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Pudukkottai and Cuddalore will get irrigation facility.

Today’s water release will provide irrigation for about 16.05 lakh acres of land. Perhaps River Cauvery is the only perennial river that provides the maximum irrigation. Total requirement of water today for cultivation is 339 t.m.c. While 220 t.m.c. of water will be supplied by the reservoir, the balance 119 t.m.c. of water will be assured from the North East Monsoon. Simultaneously, 1,000 cusecs of water will be released in the Mettur East and West Bank Canals for the next 132 days. Through this, 45,000 acres of land will get water for irrigation benefitting farmers in Erode, Salem and Namakkal Districts. For this 6 t.m.c. of water is required. The water release will facilitate 1,700 million litres of drinking water for people through 155 schemes in 8 Districts. I would like to inform that Cauvery

water is the source for drinking water for people in 20 Districts. These apart, we will get totally 250 MW of power - 50 MW of power from Hydro Power Stations and 200 MW from tunnel power stations. Additionally, through 7 Hydro Power Check Dams another 210 MW of power will be produced.

Mettur Dam has not been de-silted for so many years. Now de-silting of the Dam is also done by the Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government. 1,949 farmers have been benefitted by removing about 2.70 lakh cubic metres of sand from the Dam. When water was released last year for irrigation (19.07.2018) the level was 109 feet and the storage was 71 t.m.c. Last year, we released 210 t.m.c. of water from the reservoir for irrigation. Today we have sufficient stock of paddy seeds and fertilizers; they will be given to the farmers at the appropriate time. I appeal to farmers in the Cauvery Delta Districts and the ayacutdars of West and East bank Canals to utilize water


judiciously to get the maximum productivity. I am confident that with the blessings of Lord Varuna, delta farmers will get adequate water for irrigation. Today the water level at the Mettur Reservoir is 101 feet and the storage is 66 t.m.c. The reservoir continues to get good inflow. At present the Kabini and other reservoirs in Karnataka are releasing water in the Cauvery river. Adequate water will be released from Karnataka reservoirs as all the 4 dams in Karnataka have reached their full levels. So all future rainfall in Karnataka will reach Mettur Reservoir via 4 reservoirs. This is your Government and will fulfill all your wishes. Despite drought prevailing in the State, I am happy to inform that the Mettur Dam has been receiving heavy inflow due to God’s grace and the water is now released from the reservoir for Delta irrigation.

We have been implementing many welfare schemes for farmers. We are executing ‘Kudimaramathu’ Scheme to prevent the wastage of water. Sand is removed from tanks and lakes and it is being used as manure by farmers.

As far as ‘Kudimaramathu’ Scheme is concerned, it is out and out a farmers scheme, as it is they who are implementing it. So we are confident that the scheme will be successful. During 2017-2018, 1,519 tanks were taken up for de-silting on an experimental basis and Rs. 100 crore was allotted for the scheme. There was good response from the farmers. Following its success, in 2018-2019, 1,511 tanks have been taken up for de-silting and Rs.328 crore has been allotted for the scheme. The work

is about to be completed. To strengthen the scheme further, 1,829 tanks will be taken for de-silting in the current year taking into consideration the demand of farmers, Hon’ble Ministers, MPs and MLAs, at an estimate of Rs.500 crore. Similarly, 14,000 tanks, under the control of Public Works Department, will also be de-silted in a phased manner. For de-silting the tanks, ponds and lakes, under the control of the PWD, Rs.1,250 crore has been allotted. That work also has started. I would like to announce that totally, all tanks, ponds and lakes are being de-silted so that the entire rain water can be saved.

Apart from this, to prevent wastage of even one drop of rain water, check dams are being constructed across tanks and rivers. For this, the Amma’s Government has allotted Rs.1,000 and planned to spend Rs.600 crore. Between Mettur Dam and Kollidam, 5 check Dams are planned. Already permission has been given for construction of 2 Check Dams and the construction of the remaining 3 Check Dams is under the consideration of the Government. Work is on to prepare project reports for these check dams.

Amma’s Government is firm on linking Cauvery with Godavari. If the link is completed we will get the required water. The Central Government has said that the State would get 125 t.m.c. We have received information that already detailed project report for the link has been prepared. Godavari would be linked to Cauvery at a point in Karur. I would like to inform that areas above the link point would get required water through lift irrigation. Even


now we have planned to store surplus water in Mettur water in 100 lakes in Mettur, Omalur, Sankagiri and Salem Assembly Constituencies. Even now Hon’ble Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, Hon’ble Minister Thiru. Karuppannan and Thiru. Andhiyur Raja, MLA requested me to supply surplus water released from Mettur to the tanks in their areas through lift irrigation. They said that their areas are drought-affected and the tanks in their areas should be filled with surplus water released from Mettur during Monsoon. I would like to inform that taking their demand into consideration, after the Godavari-Cauvery Link, for those areas and the areas in Erode District, which are not getting irrigation, Eris would be filled with surplus water from Mettur. Tanks in Gangavalli, Athur and Yercaud in Salem District will also be supplied water through lift irrigation. Similarly for the benefit of farmers, all tanks and lakes on either side of areas from Mettur Dam to Karur will be filled with surplus water through lift irrigation. For this, an estimate for Rs.25 crore has been prepared. I would like to point out that the Government has been planning to see that not a single drop of water is wasted. For this, 2 Retired Chief Engineers and 3 Superintending Engineers have been appointed. They will give a report after studying the quantity of rain water that is now going waste into the sea. The Government will take action based on their report. I would like to inform that ours is the only Government which works for the farmers. To improve water sources and make the best use of the available water, the Government has introduced Drip Irrigation system. This Government has allotted additional funds for Drip Irrigation. At present,

we are providing cent per cent subsidy for purchase of implements for the Drip Irrigation for farmers who own 1 acre to 5 acres and 75 per cent subsidy for any number of acres above 5 acres. So even if the ground water is less, we have created a situation wherein farmers can undertake farm activities through Drip Irrigation and get the maximum result. We are giving subsidy for purchase of tractors, farm implements, seeds and fertilizers by farmers and interest-free crop loans. Amma’s Government is the only Government which gives these benefits to farmers.

For the farmers to get remunerative prices for vegetables and fruits, we are constructing a big market complex between Omalur and Taramangalam in Salem District. Farmers in Salem District can sell their produce online in this market. During lean season when the price is low, they can store their produce in refrigerated godowns without paying any rent and sell the produce when the price stabilizes. We are also providing accommodation, bathroom and ATM for withdrawal of money for the farmers in this complex. We are providing all these facilities for the welfare of farmers. Similar complexes will be set up in 10 more Districts for the benefit of farmers so that they can get remunerative prices for their produce. This scheme is getting final shape.

Similarly, we are planning a big Food Park near Chennai at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore. Through this Park farmers can sell their produce online and get good prices for their produce. I would like to point out at this juncture that the Park has been planned by Amma’s Government for the benefit of farmers.


To enable farmers specialize in livestock rearing, which is a subsidiary profession for them, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government sent the Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry to foreign countries to study the techniques of livestock rearing. Based on that, today the biggest Livestock Park is to come up on 1,200 acres at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore at Thalaivasal in Salem District. In this park, Veterinary Medical College and Veterinary Research Centre are to be set up, where facilities would be available to develop hybrid cows, goats, poultry and fish for distribution to farmers. Disease tolerant hybrid cows, which yield more milk would be developed in this Park.

At Uthagamandalam, a unique technique to help farmers have their choice of calves through sex separated semen has been developed by Hon’ble Amma’s Government, at a cost of Rs.50 crore to fulfill the long-felt dream of farmers.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this Government is a Farmers Welfare Government. I would like to inform that Amma’s Government has been meeting each and every requirement of farmers.

Following the demand of farmers, four Hon’ble Ministers and MLAs for renovating canals, the Government had decided to concretise the entire West and East Bank Canals from Mettur Dam to the end of the canals at a cost of Rs.600 crore. The scheme has been planned with a view to saving every drop of water released from Mettur Dam. Not only here, but all canals in various places in Tamil Nadu will be concretised to save water.

We have sought permission from the Central Government to concretise the canals in Cauvery Delta. Once the permission is received, work on concretising the canals in the Delta Districts will begin. This will prevent wastage of 20 per cent of water and also avoid de-silting work.

The Government, on an experimental basis has decided to irrigate 7,500 acres of land through Drip Irrigation, at a cost of Rs.500 crore in Pollachi. The Government has planned to give farmers the necessary implements for drip irrigation. It has been found that water used for 1 acre of land can be utilized for 7 acres through drip irrigation. The scheme is to be implemented by Hon’ble Amma’s Government. These are all the schemes brought forward by me within a short period after I took charge. The Government which follows the path laid down by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi, is also implementing all the schemes that were carried out by Hon’ble Amma. We are also implementing farm schemes.

The Government has been implementing a lot of welfare schemes for farmers. I am happy to inform that with the water level reaching 101 feet today, and the storage being 66 t.m.c. in the Mettur Reservoir, we are releasing water from the reservoir, which will definitely gladden the hearts of agriculturists. I thank all those, including the Secretary of the PWD, Chief Engineer, Principal Engineers, Superintending Engineers and Higher Government Officials for organizing the function at short notice.

Nandri! Vanakkam!


My greetings to all of you who are participating in the Bank loan mela organized by the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank. Entering this auditorium, I see it mostly occupied by women. This scheme is considered to have been conceived for the sake of women. Regional and rural Banks have been set up to provide credit facility to small and micro farmers, agriculture

labourers, Village artisans and those engaged in small business and trade in the Villages. At the time of the launch of this Bank, each Bank was permitted to function in one or two Districts only. The Central Government started these regional and rural Banks since the Nationalized Banks’ services were out-of-bounds for Villagers and Government’s Welfare Schemes

Speech of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the Bank loan mela launched by the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank in Salem on 22.07.2019



could not fully reach the Villagers through these Banks. The aim was to realize the worthy ideal that Villagers too should get Bank services in full measure. Fifty per cent of these Banks’ capital is contributed by the Union Government, 35 per cent by a nationalized Bank and the balance 15 per cent by the State Government. The nationalized Bank that contributes 35 per cent will render all help to the Village Banks, and besides giving advice on the functioning of the Village Bank and the needed technological assistance, will also have its high official act as its chairman.

Merger of Banks has become a common feature after globalization. Likewise, Village Banks are also merged with one another by the Central Government. The number of rural Banks has now come down to 45 from 196. As the Small and Micro Banks have amalgamated and become big ones, they are able to compete with nationalized and private Banks.

The Central Government is also trying to limit the number of rural Banks to one per State. As a part of this effort, the Pandiyan and Pallavan Grama Banks in Tamil Nadu have merged and become the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank. Pandiyan Bank was started on 09.03.1977 in the undivided Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli Districts. The Adhiyaman Grama Bank, operating in the Districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri and the Vallalar Grama Bank, functioning in the Districts of Villupuram and Cuddalore merged and became Pallavan Grama Bank on 31.08.2006. The Tamil Nadu Grama Bank is functioning in all Districts, except Chennai District. However its branches are operating in the urban areas of Chennai. The Tamil Nadu Grama Bank has now 630 branches in the State. It is a matter of joy to hear the Bank officials say that efforts are under way to increase this number to 1,000. Tamil Nadu Grama Bank’s total transaction, at present, is over


Rs.23,000 crore. I am extremely happy to learn that this Bank is operating profitably when many other Banks are reporting losses. I understand that Non-Performing Assets (NPA) too are less in this Bank. It is a matter of pride that the NPA in the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank is just 1.79 per cent while other Banks’ tally is more than 10 per cent. This Bank mostly does not lend to big establishments. It lends only to farmers, Self Help Groups and the poor. Most of the members of this section consist of the poor who want to come up in life.

It is no exaggeration to say that this Bank functions as a great help to such good-hearted people. The low NPA is proof of the honesty of the common folk. I am proud to learn that 99 per cent of the credit extended to self-help groups is repaid. Really, this is to be appreciated. Members of the Self Help Groups in the audience have created history by paying back 99 per cent of their loan. You consider this Bank as yours. You feel you can flourish only if the Bank flourishes and you encourage and enthuse the Banking industry through your regular re-payments. It is praiseworthy that you are a strong support to the Bank. I understand that some Self Help Groups get loans up to Rs.20 lakh without any surety. Other Banks don’t lend without surety.

To provide a turning point in the lives of hill tribes, this Bank, I am happy to know, is giving loans, with Central and State Government subsidies, for supplying solar power to one of their Villages near Ambasamudram. The move

has lighted up their lives. As these tribes reside in the higher reaches of hilly areas, it is very difficult to supply electricity to them. The forest is thick there and Forest Department permission is necessary to install poles for the supply of electricity. During cyclones, the supply would be disrupted due to damages caused to electric poles by uprooted trees. I am very happy the Bank’s initiative obviates this contingency.

I congratulate this Bank for giving loans to farmers and Village labourers to uplift them, fulfilling in a way Poet Bharathi’s poetic lines that we should honour agriculture and industry (Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandhanai Seivom). This Bank, it is to be noted, is giving special loans with subsidy for the development of palm tree workers and youth.

Considering the fact that this Bank has lent in 2018-2019 alone, Rs.9,210 crore to 13.52 lakh beneficiaries at a mere 4 per cent interest, there is no doubt that it is helping farmers’ development in a big way. I understand that this Bank is designing schemes to relieve the poor from usurious lenders. For women’s development, this Bank is lending money to women entrepreneurs through the scheme ‘Woman Power’. According to this Bank’s officials, the Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women and the Industrial Development Corporation for the implementation of its proposed scheme to give special loans to women Self Help Groups. Appointing 738 business


correspondents for taking the Bank’s services to every home and delivering through them old-age pension and other Government welfare assistance to the beneficiaries at their door step, is to be appreciated. Through these business

correspondents more than 70,000 persons have benefited. The Bankers have also stated that they are running financial literacy centres at 22 places with a view to spread awareness among people about the Bank and that financial literacy camps were held at the state-level through their 630 branches on 16.07.2019. Over and above this, mobile financial literacy centres are also conducted in Villages directly.

This Bank deserves appreciation for getting the NABARD award for excellent implementation of the integrated Bank

service, NABARD’S pilot project in Tamil Nadu, in 5 Villages in Dharmapuri District. The Pandiyan and Pallavan Grama Banks have been continuously receiving Tamil Nadu Government and NABARD Bank’s awards

for many years for their excellent service to Self Help Groups in giving loans. Pallavan Village Bank is to be congratulated for its record of getting ASSOCHAM’s SKOCH award for being the best Grama Bank at the National level and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority’s Award many times, for covering more number of pensioners under the Central Government’s Atal Pension Yojana.

As the pinnacle of this Bank’s services, a huge loan mela at the State-level, has been organized today. Through this event,


Rs.109.80 crore loan is given to 28,506 beneficiaries. On 10.07.2019, I had informed while making an announcement under Rule 110 in the Legislative Assembly that the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank – born out of the merger of the Pallavan and Pandiyan regional Grama Banks on 01.04.2010 – is functioning with Salem as its Headquarters and 630 branches across the State. To set up an integrated complex for this Bank and the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes at Salem, two acres of land would be given and that this complex would provide life skills training. In implementation of this announcement, preliminary clearance for 2 acres of land in Jagir Ammapalayam, Salem (West) Division, has been given. At this juncture, I wish to extend my good wishes for this Bank’s excellent growth and exemplary services to people.

In Salem District alone 26,215 women Self Help Groups are functioning – 14,985 in rural areas and 11,230 in urban areas. In this District alone, an all-women organization has been set up for women to venture into business by themselves. I wish to inform that in the last 8 years, Rs.2,378.88 crore has been given as loan to 87,350 Self Help Groups. A target of Rs.624 crore for Bank loan was fixed for last year alone, but the lending exceeded Rs.646.80 crore, the beneficiaries being 14,743 Women Self Help Groups. This is 104 per cent lending. At a function held at Salem on 26.02.2019, loan sanction to the tune of Rs.146.57 crore was accorded. Likewise, the target for the year 2019-2020

was fixed at Rs.650 crore and till date, 1,747 women Self Help Groups have been given Rs.65.45 crore. In Salem District, a revolving fund of Rs.1.19 crore has been created for 239 Village poverty reduction committees. Moreover, Rs.2.47 crore has been given to 161 Village poverty reduction committees as first instalment. In the last 2 years, Rs.7.27 crore has been given as capital fund to 250 Village poverty reduction committees. So, the Tamil Nadu Government has been creating through substantial facilitation of loans, an environment where women can have their own occupations and stand on their own feet.

The very name Tamil Nadu Grama Bank suggests that it is Village-oriented. Other Banks don’t give loans so easily. But Tamil Nadu Grama Bank gives out and out priority to farmer-oriented occupations and the poor, through Self Help Groups. This Bank’s interest rate is less. And it gives the needed financial assistance in time. It gives crop and dairy loans. Salem District has the highest number of milk producers in the state and has come first in milk production too. This Bank’s officials say that the Bank lends up to Rs.3 lakh per person to farmers engaged in milk production and farm labourers towards purchase and maintenance of cattle. Through dairying, made possible by loans from the Village Bank, farmers and farm labourers get income.

Recently in the Assembly, I announced the bifurcation of the District Co-operative milk Producers’ Union in some Districts; Tirunelveli was bifurcated to benefit Thoothukkudi, Trichy


was bifurcated to benefit Karur and Krishnagiri was bifurcated to benefit Dharmapuri. When new Co-operative Milk Producers’ Unions are created, not only do the existing members of Milk Producers’ Societies in those areas increase milk production through rearing more cattle but an environment is created for self employment. The division of big Co-operative Milk Producers’ unions is also for administrative reasons and for the timely delivery of the produced milk to the unions. I am happy to say the Tamil Nadu Grama Bank is helping societies like these.

Farmers abound in our region. For agriculture to flourish, water is vital. It is akin to life for man. So water management has been introduced and Amma’s Government is taking steps to implement it in a systematic way. Lakes and tanks across the State are deepened through

the ‘kudimaramathu’ scheme. To conserve every drop of monsoon rain water, check dams are constructed across Odais and rivers, water body levels are raised, ground water is re-charged and water is made available both for irrigation and for drinking purposes. When there is excess rain during monsoon periods in Salem District, rain waters drain into the sea. To utilize the surplus water in the Cauvery in such times, we have devised a scheme to convey it to 100 lakes at a cost of Rs.565 crore. The scheme will be implemented in about 2 years. When the scheme comes to fruition, the surplus Cauvery water that comes to the 100 lakes in the assembly constituencies of Omalur, Mettur, Sankagiri and Edappadi in Salem District, will be conveyed to water bodies through drip irrigation system. Our Government, I am happy to state, has dedicated


all these beneficial schemes to farmers and farm labourers.

When I was Highways Minister in Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government, I had visited the drought hit Omalur and Tharamangalam Taluks. In Omalur region, we grow flower plants in a large scale. Farmers there complained that they are not getting a fair price for their flowers and they have to go to Bengaluru to market them. Even four years earlier, they had placed a demand for the creation of a centre for the sale of flowers in Tamil Nadu itself. Farmers in the District of Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri cultivate flower plants extensively. Conceding the demands of farmers and farm labour in these 4 Districts, Amma’s Government proposes to set up a very large flower auction centre of global standards at Hosur at a cost of Rs.20 crore. As it is an International Auction Centre, traders from different Countries and States may export the flowers to foreign Countries.

To help farmers get an adequate price for their vegetables and fruits and to create a condition for Government to purchase those articles and use them, Amma’s Government proposes to set up a sales centre at 10 Districts headquarters.

We propose to set up a Food Park on 300 acres of land near Chennai at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore for farmers to get fair prices for their vegetables and fruits. Over and above this, we propose to set up a huge Livestock Park with

all features, biggest in the entire Asia, on 900 acres of land at Thalaivasal in Salem District at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore for the development of livestock. A livestock research centre and a veterinary college will be part of this Park for rearing high breed cows for milk production and promote the growth of all domestic animals like goat, poultry, dog and pig.

For poor women’s marriage, Hon’ble Amma’s Government gives cash assistance along with gold for ‘thaali’. Cash assistance to pregnant women has been progressively raised from Rs.6,000 to Rs.12,000 and to Rs.18,000 now. In the third phase, “Amma Maternity” scheme was announced and nutritious articles are being distributed. A huge maternity hospital with a special treatment centre for neo natal babies has been set up in Salem. Amma Baby Care Kit with 16 articles for child care is supplied. The Government is helping poor students get quality education and pursue higher education. Laptops are given to students to help them study science education. Amma’s Government has sanctioned 76 Government colleges in Tamil Nadu. Likewise, engineering, agriculture, medical, ITI and veterinary colleges have been started. Due to these factors, the number of students taking to higher education has increased. I am happy to inform that a new college will start functioning in Salem District in the current year. Amma’s Government continues to implement Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s schemes.



The Mother of Achievements who toiled till her last breath to bring joy into the lives of the common people, the incomparable identity of the Tamil race around the world, that made Dravidian politics revolve around her for half a century, the luminous lamp that lit up the faces of unknown people and elevated them to public acclaim, the matchless Beloved Mother who bestowed the good fortune of high posts on hundreds of thousands of educated and un-educated persons as also on women, long kept suppressed without education, and gave them the status of signing in green ink; our incomparable Amma who reigns in the hearts and homes of the Tamil race all over the world, making false the worldly wisdom that “all those who are born, don’t excel; all those who excel don’t win people’s hearts; and all those who succeed in doing so do not remain there for long’’, I commence my speech, bowing to such a Goddess Amma who is guiding us all.

According to Thiruvalluvar, the ideal king is one who has the qualities of courage, benevolence, intelligence and enthusiasm. I commence my reply, bowing to the golden star Idaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi who was endowed with all the aforesaid qualities of leadership, who, as the heir of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar, took over the great Movement, the AIADMK, turned the various obstacles into stepping stones to victory, dedicated her whole life for the development of Tamil Nadu and Tamils with the aim that “All Tamil Nadu people should get all things” and with the ‘taraka’ mantra, “Peace, Prosperity and Progress” and the slogan, “I am by the people; I am for the people,” and came to be adored by Tamil Nadu people as “Amma”.


Policemen engage themselves in the arduous task of protecting people, without losing the sense of duty and dignity. We are safe like the foetus in the mother’s warm womb

Reply of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami to the debate on the demands for grants for the

Departments of Police, Fire and Rescue Services in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 19.07.2019. (English Translation)


because of Police Personnel who toil for the welfare of the people, keeping round-the-clock vigil ignoring all their physical discomforts. They are the ones who stake their lives to solve cases of theft or murder, search every nook and corner and arraign culprits before the Law. They are the ones who discharge the great task of protecting law and order when quarrels break out among people in public functions, meetings, festivals and in bazars due to exchange of hot words. They are the ones who risk their own selves to preserve public order when riots break out. Their tasks are innumerable – from tracing lost articles to persons who have disappeared. Doors are protected not by locks but by the Police. This Government is itself the protector of such a Tamil Nadu Police, wiping out their worries, assuaging their anxieties and taking delight in honouring them with glittering medals, ‘ponnadais’ and glowing citations for their historic achievements, as well as providing facilities for them.

Amma’s Government is one that is enchanted to see them happy over this Government’s quick actions to remove their hardships in the discharge of their duties. Consequentially, Tamil Nadu today flourishes as a Garden of Peace. Tamil Nadu shines today as a safe and peaceful State with crimes declining, thefts disappearing, accidents shrinking and anti-social elements getting arraigned before the law.


Our Hon’ble former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Sastri, spoke of the majesty of law thus: “Rule of law should be respected so

that the basic structure of our democracy is maintained and further strengthened”. It is very essential that peace prevails in a State for it to touch the peak in economic development and for its people to attain development.

For establishing the rule of law in a Country, the work of the Police Department is very important. It is the Police Department that gives guarantee to the life and possessions of people as also for an individual’s safety and implements Government’s laws to safeguard and regulate the community. Besides taking all steps for the Police to function freely, honestly, efficiently and with humanitarian feelings and without interference, Hon’ble Amma’s Government is also providing all facilities to them.


As far as the maintenance of law and order and the Police Department’s actions are concerned, some members have appreciated and welcomed them, a few have given suggestions; but at the same time, a few members have pointed out shortcomings and levelled criticism. When I think of the critics, I am reminded of an episode in the life of Perarignar Anna as narrated by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma in this House.

Once, Perarignar Anna was travelling by car with friends. He happened to hear a speaker at a public meeting severely criticizing him. Anna stopped the car, listened to the entire speech from the car and then continued the journey. When one of the friends questioned him about it, Anna did not reply. After travelling a distance, the car overtook a bullock


cart. The cart driver hurled abuses at the car driver. Anna reasoned: the cart could not match the car in speed and out of that anger, the cart driver hurled abuses. Instead of indulging in a slanging match and creating a problem, we should reach our destination without causing any hurdles to travel; the speaker at the meeting was in the same position as the cart driver was. Perarignar Anna added an important criterion for determining our growth: other people’s unjustified abuses against us. From this narration, it is evident that our growth, good actions and good schemes have drawn the attention of our critics. There is a palpable self-pity in them over their inability to match us and it turns into anger expressed through harsh words.

Though our Government has tided over many problems including natural disasters and severe drought, and implemented many good schemes, some people are misusing the various rights conferred by the Constitution like freedom of speech and thought and are spreading rumours against the Government and the Police Department. They are doing this to the extent of calling for agitations at every turn and acting selfishly with the motto that thwarting the implementation of Government’s schemes is their main mission. They are acting in this way without caring for the all-round development of the State, industrial and structural growth and the future of the youth.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government is always ready to carry out constructive suggestions beneficial to the people and to remove deficiencies in Government schemes if they are pointed out.


For the last 8 years, the Police Department, acting on the advice of the Government and in keeping with its constructive measures, continues to keep Tamil Nadu peaceful by acting sternly against criminals and preventing crimes. It is protecting the State from law and order problems, communal and casteist clashes, and terrorist and extremist activities, all of which harm common people.

The best proof for the excellent maintenance of law and order in the State is the conduct of events like the Kumbakonam Mahamaham, Cauvery Mahapushkaram and Thamirabarani Mahapushkaram without even a minor incident, the conclusion of the recent Parliament election and the State by-elections without any law and order problem and the efficient handling of the huge crowds of devotees that surpassed estimates for the darshan of Athivaradhar at Kancheepuram daily.

Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and this Government that follows her path, have retrieved the lost rights of the State on issues like Cauvery river and Periyar Dam by waging legal battles. It stands firmly on the side of farmers and has taken supportive steps for them on issues like voicing opposition for laying pipelines through agricultural lands by GAIL and extraction of hydro-carbon and methane. All people know how much the Government was committed to safeguarding the people and their welfare during the cyclones of ‘Thane’, ‘Vardah’, ‘Ockhi’ and ‘Gaja’ . The speed with which it launched rescue and relief operations


earned encomiums from non-partisan persons, the media and the general public.


In the last 8 years, most of the crimes in the State are coming down due to the Police Department’s precautionary measures and its actions like crime prevention, tracing the culprits and getting them convictions and detaining them under preventive laws. It is not just I who am saying this but the records of the National Crime Records Bureau that are saying so.

For example, the number of violent crimes (atrocities) in our State is 10,844 cases, according to the latest report of the National Crimes Records Bureau. But in Kerala, 13,548 cases, 19,648 cases in Karnataka, 11,829 cases in Gujarat, 19,092 cases in Odisha, 14,392 cases in Haryana and 16,223 cases in Rajasthan have been registered.

Hon’ble Member Thiru.Ponmudi had said that. But with data, I am saying that crimes have declined in our State. According to the same report, crimes relating to property were 23,650 alone in 2016 in our State whereas in our neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, 25,311 cases, in Telengana 27,946 cases, in Karnataka 37,873 cases, in Maharashtra 94,826 cases and in Rajasthan 53,402 cases have been filed. From these statistics, it is clear that the number of cases in our State are much less as is the crime rate.


In the last 8 years, of the 1,75,297 cases filed connected with property crimes including murder, 1,23,499 cases were solved and the

culprits arrested. That is, 71 per cent cases have been solved, 66.5 per cent of stolen properties have been recovered. Also, I wish to inform this House that Tamil Nadu, according to the statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau for the year 2016, occupied the premier place in recovery of stolen properties, continuously for 4 years – 2013,2014, 2015 and 2016.

The Police Department continues to arrest criminals and those engaged in atrocities, and puts them in preventive detention under the various laws including the National Security Act.


As this Government that functions on the lines of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, is paying greater attention to women’s welfare and to the prevention of crimes against women, such crimes have come down greatly in our State in the last 8 years.

For example, the number of dowry deaths in 2010, DMK Government’s last year of rule, was 165. This came down gradually after the AIADMK came to power and in 2018, the number of cases filed on this count was just 55. I wish to bring to the notice of the Hon’ble Member that these cases have come down by 66.7 per cent.

Kidnapping of girl children and women which was at 1,464 in 2010, registered a 38 per cent reduction in 2018 with only 907 cases.

The overall number of crimes against women filed in our State, is also less. For example, as per the latest data of the National


Crime Records Bureau, the crime rate against women in our State is 10.7 per cent which is less than the national average rate by 40.7 per cent. In our neighbouring State of Kerala, this crime rate is 53.4 per cent, in Andhra Pradesh 60.4 per cent, in Odisha 77.7 per cent and in Telengana 82.3 per cent.

Also, as per the Bureau’s report, Chennai has come first among Metros in India for safe living of women. Coimbatore has this distinction among big cities (with a population of more than 20 lakh).


Of the 1,232 boys and 3,041 girls who went missing last year (2018), 1,089 boys and 2,795 girls were traced by the Police and handed over either to their parents or relatives or left in Government Homes. This year (till 31.05.2019), 301 boys were traced out of 433 and 1,086 girls were retrieved out of 1,437 missing.

“Udhayam” scheme was launched for tracing children lost by parents at railway stations and in trains and in the year 2018 alone, 2,590 such children were traced.

Hon’ble Speaker,

On the basis of the advice given by the Government for preventing banned fundamentalist and terrorist organizations from gaining ground in our State, the Police Department kept a vigil over such outfits, and took precautionary steps in co-ordination with the National Intelligence Bureau and prevented acts of terrorism. The proof of this is the arrest of Rasheed, an accused in the Coimbatore serial

bomb blasts case who had been absconding for 20 years, on 10.09.2018 at the Chennai airport.

To prevent infiltration of terrorists into Tamil Nadu through our long coastline, the Police, jointly with the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy, has mounted an intensive surveillance of the coast-line.


The Police are taking all necessary steps to reduce the ever-increasing traffic congestion due to the economic and industrial development of our State, and to ensure hassle-free transportation.

RADMS (Road Accident Data Management System) software is being used to examine the reasons behind road accidents and prevent them. As a result of the serial camps held to create awareness among people and the strict implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act, the incidence of vehicle accidents and loss of life in accidents is coming down in the last 3 years. In 2016, 71,431 accident cases were filed in the State. The number of such cases came down to 65,562 in 2017 and to 63,920 in 2018. Compared to the year 2016, the accidents have come down in 2018 by 10.50 per cent.

Likewise, the fatalities in vehicle accidents in 2016 were 17,218; in 2018, it was 12,216 – a reduction of 29 per cent.

A scheme for levying on-the-spot fine and collection from traffic offenders, under the name ‘e-challan system’ was launched in Chennai city last year. Three hundred and fifty-two e-PoS machines were purchased at a cost of Rs.2.79 crore for this purpose. Following


its success, the scheme was extended to the entire State and I inaugurated it on 28.06.2019. Under this scheme, 750 e-PoS machines were purchased and distributed for use.

Political parties and members of various organizations are acting without any visionary outlook and for self-projection and political reasons. They behave in a way that harms the growth of our State that has earned a name as a “Model State” in many fields, by conducting agitations against any scheme announced by the Central and State Governments without examining their good and bad aspects and just for the opposition sake. Recently a High Court Judge echoed the same idea by stating: “Agitations are needed; but one must not agitate for anything and everything”. I wish to remind this to some for whom “agitation is life; criticism the routine; accusations not based on truth, the life breath”: Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. has sung – “Illaamai neekka vendum/thozhil aakkam vendum/ingu ellorum vaazha vendum/munnera enna vendum – nal ennam vendum- than uzhaippale unna vendum.” (“Poverty should be banished; industry should flourish; everyone should thrive; What is needed for development? Good thoughts and earning one’s food by one’s own labour”). In tune with these lines of the song, I wish to firmly State on this occasion, that Hon’ble Amma’s Government will continue to implement many good schemes, keeping in mind the State’s bright future and growth.


The Tamil Nadu Police Department is a model to other States through its efficiency in all types of Police work. For example:

After examining all the States on different factors, India Today magazine selected Tamil Nadu as the premier State for the best maintenance of law and order in the whole of India in the year 2018. It lauded the State for achieving this in a short time and gave 2 separate awards.

R.S.Puram Police Station, Coimbatore city has been selected the best station in India for the year 2017.

Anna Nagar Police Station, Chennai was selected as the fifth best station and both the stations were applauded.

For the year 2018, the Periakulam Police Station, Theni District, was selected as the 8th best station.

At the 61st All India Police Duty Meet, held at Chennai in February 2018, the Tamil Nadu Police Department won 7 trophies, 33 medals – 18 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze – and the overall champion title.

At the Indian Police Rifle Shooting competition held at Haryana last year, our Police Department participated, won the overall championship title, came first at the National level and won the J.J. Cup, given in the name of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma

I wish to inform the House at this hour that Tamil Nadu won an award at the National Crime Record Bureau’s conference held in October 2018, for best implementation of the ‘Crime and Criminals Tracing Network System’ (CCTNS) under the e-governance scheme.



The Tamil Nadu Government is taking the necessary steps to provide all the needed facilities and training to our Police Department to tackle effectively the activities of extremist and terrorist outfits that are increasing globally, crimes due to the impact of cultural degradation, economic disparities and generally deteriorating values, and spiralling cyber crimes on account of Information Technology’s growth. Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government has been increasing the allocation to the Police Department every year for the last 8 years. The allocation of Rs.2,962 crore in 2010, the last year of DMK’s rule has been steadily increased and this year, the allotment was Rs.8,084.80 crore. Under the modernization programme of the Police Department, Rs.786.54 crore have been allotted from 2011 till date (05.07.2019) and modern weapons, special vehicles, tools for the Intelligence and Forensic Laboratory Departments, communication and special use equipment have been purchased and brought to use. From 2011, 551 Police Stations, 18,648 Police quarters and 326 buildings – Commissionerates, District Police Offices, other Offices, Rest Houses and hospitals – have been constructed at a cost of Rs.2,942.35 crore and made over for Police use. Also, 63 Police Stations, 5,851 Police quarters and 46 other office buildings are under construction. Own buildings will be constructed for 23 Police Stations, now functioning from rented buildings. To tackle the ever-increasing cyber crime, on account of the changes taking place in the Information Technology Sector, a new division has been created in the Police

Department under an additional DGP. A total of 649 posts have been created at the rate of one branch for each District.

A ‘Cyber hall’ (arangam) will be set up at a cost of Rs.3.71 crore and the Police Department proposes to co-ordinate with other Government Departments, Educational Institutions, IT Companies, Banks and NGOs through this platform. To prevent child-lifting, 43 child-lifting prevention units have been set up at the rate of one for each Police District and they are in operation. The Tamil Nadu Special Police Battalion -13 has been turned into Tamil Nadu Disaster Rescue Force; Rs.15 crore has been allotted to it, for purchase of equipment and adequate training has also been given. This Force was very helpful in undertaking relief measures in the ‘Gaja’ cyclone-affected areas.


CCTV cameras with online network have been installed in Police Stations and public places for the prevention of crimes in public places. They help the Police understand criminal behavior by observing the crime being committed, and enable subsequent arrest. They also ensure transparency in Police Stations. For the installation of cameras throughout the State, 1,62,390 Government and private buildings have been identified and the work is done in 1,18,690 buildings. In Chennai Metro, cameras have been installed in 46,865 buildings out of the 59,627 identified. Already CCTV cameras have been installed in 747 Police Stations; Government is taking steps to install the camera in the remaining 820 stations and in public places.


After the installation of CCTV cameras for every 50 metres, there is hesitancy on the part of criminals to indulge in crimes. Those committing crimes ignoring the cameras, are apprehended quickly by the Police and punished. As an example, I wish to State that 1,190 cases connected with chain snatching were recorded in the period beginning from 2017 to June 2019, and in 1,066 cases, the culprits were traced and gold jewels worth Rs.2.5 crore were retrieved from them and handed over to the complainants.

Hon’ble Leader of the Congress Party mentioned about chain snatching. I wish to say that our Police officers are adept in nabbing the criminals. Till the end of June in 2018, the number of chain snatching cases was 258. This year (2019), up to June, the number of such cases was just 135. Of these, culprits were traced in 109 cases and jewels worth Rs.20 lakh were retrieved and handed over to the complainants. Through this, I wish to inform the member that Police Department’s speedy action and CCTV cameras installation have brought down chain snatching events to a great extent.

To foster leadership qualities in students, make them good citizens, help them maintain physical fitness and shape them into socially committed future citizens, the State Government launched a new scheme with the central Government’s assistance – Student Police Cadet scheme - in the financial year 2016-2017 and is implementing it. In the last 3 years, Rs.11.45 crore was allotted for this scheme and it is being implemented in 1,117 schools in the Districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai. It will be gradually extended to other Districts.


I inaugurated on 04.06.2018 the State Police Master Control Room, set up at a cost of Rs.11.43 crore, in fulfillment of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s announcement of 24.04.2012. The master control room is accessible to people from any corner of the State for conveying information. Till 30.06.2019, the master control room had received 41,34,471 calls and action was initiated.

To upgrade communication facility in the Police Department, the digital mobile radio facility with modern information gadgets has been provided in 10 Districts at a cost of Rs.49.40 crore. This facility will be extended gradually to other Districts.

Steps are being taken to upgrade the State Police Master Control Room into State Emergency Response Centre at a cost of Rs.15.65 crore so that people can get in touch, during times of emergency, with Departments like Police, Fire Service and Health and get needed assistance. Through this, people can get assistance by dialing the number 112.

The creation of the FaceTagr App in mobile phones by the Police Department has facilitated Police constables in Chennai city arrest persons connected with criminal cases. Likewise, a new app – Kaavalan SOS – has been launched for people in Chennai to get in touch with the State Police Master Control Room with information of their location during times of emergency without dialling the number 100. The app has been received very well by the people as its use immediately brings the Police to their location for the needed assistance.



This Government that follows in the footsteps of Hon’ble Amma, has become a model to the entire country in fulfilling the needs and wishes of constables as it realizes fully well that they are discharging their duties amidst various difficulties without being able to spare any time even for their families. This Government has understood the challenges faced by the Police personnel from their different types of work and is filling up the vacant posts in the Department. In that way:

� As of 30.06.2019, the sanctioned strength in all posts in the Police Department is 1,24,769. The number of persons in employment at present is 1,15,075. Vacant posts are just 9,694.

� Among these vacant posts, the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board has notified its intent to fill up 969 Sub-Inspector and 8,427 Grade II constable posts.

� The selected 226 Sub-Inspectors (Technical) and 179 Sub-Inspectors (fingerprint section) are undergoing training.

� In the last 8 years, 64,510 persons have been given promotions in various posts – from constable to DGP.

The total number of announcements made from 2011-2012 to 2018-2019 in respect of the Police Department during the debates on demands for grants and on other occasions, is 786. Of these, 616 announcements have been fully carried out; 163 are under various stages of implementation. Thus 99.1 per cent of announcements have been fulfilled.


The Tamil Nadu Government is implementing many useful schemes for the Police personnel and their families. These include:

� Essential commodities at 50 per cent subsidy in fair price shops to Police constables.

� Under the Tamil Nadu Police Canteen scheme, articles at reduced prices to all uniformed personnel and the families of retired personnel.

� Under the Government’s special assistance scheme, scholarships to children of Police constables who have scored high marks in the 12th standard public examination.

� Whole Body medical check-up once a year for Police personnel.

Besides these welfare schemes, the State Government launched a pioneering programme of giving psychological training to Police personnel, jointly with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) at a cost of Rs.10 crore, under the Police Wellness Training Scheme, for removing mental tension caused by pressure of work. So far, 35,082 constables and their 37,352 family members have participated in the training and benefited. Police Departments in other States and the CRPF, functioning under the Central Government, have shown eagerness to implement this training programme in their ranks.


Along with the many welfare schemes, the various allowances given to Police personnel


have also been increased, taking into account the tension they face at work. I am happy to inform that the number of those to get the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Constabulary Medal, given every year to those in the constables category who have put in a service of 10 years without any blemish – from constable to head constable – has been increased from 1,500 to 3,000 so that all the eligible persons get the award immediately.


‘Do you think I will fall? Even if the mind were to face many battles, even if defeats should assail me, even if victory were to elude me, spiritless, never will I succumb and accept defeat like some worthless persons; determination is not alien to me like a stepmother, defeat, not a god of Death to kill me and victory not an intoxicant to me’ (“Veezhven enru ninaitthaayo/ Manam pala kalam kandaalum/ Thoalvi pala ennidam vandhaalum/Vetri enai kadanthu chendraalum/ Sornthu poi naan pala vedikkai manitharai pole/ Veezhven endru ninaitthaayo/ Mana Urudhi enakkondrum maatranthai alla/Tholvi ennai kollum kaalanum alla/ Vetri enakkondrum bodhai porulalla/ Naan mayanguvatharkku”)…. Victory or defeat, my goal is to work for people’s welfare. Our Government is one that caters to the people.

In has been sung, in the vein of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivar: “Etthanaiyo medu pallam vazhiyile, Unnai edaravaithu thalla paarkkum kuzhiyile, athanaiyum thaandi kaalai mun vaiyada, Nee anjaamal kadamayile kan vaiyada”.

(“There are many ups and downs on the path to topple and push you into the pit; leaping

over them, put your foot forward and do your duty without fear’’).

It keeping with the spirit of this song, I assert that this Government will extend all help to the Police Department, keeping in mind the needs of the people in the changing environment, to transform itself into a skillful organization capable of facing challenges, and will stand by the Police Department in all its lawful activities by removing all the obstacles that come in its way, so that peace prevails in the State and it progresses in all spheres and becomes the numero uno in the whole country.


FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES Department

In the acquisition of modern vehicles and tools to manage the changing environment in urban and rural areas and in matters like imparting upgraded skills in fire-fighting and rescue operations to the fire fighters, the Fire and Rescue Services Department has a good record.

From 2011-2012 to 2018-2019, the total number of announcements made for this Department during the debate on demands for grants, is 78. G.Os for all those announcements have been issued. Sixty-two announcements have been fully implemented and for the rest, steps are being taken and they will come for people’s use shortly.

� In 2018, fire audit was done for 4,269 Government buildings. Also, 8,993 buildings were inspected for fire protection. Also, an awareness was


created in many hospitals on how to act during emergencies.

� Last year, the Department saved 69 human lives and articles worth Rs.292.84 crore in the 22,601 calls it received; in 25,525 rescue calls, it saved 4,610 human lives and acted true to its motto, “Protection is our duty”.

Besides humans, the Department has been successfully rescuing animals also. Hon’ble Amma’s Government has upgraded excellently this Department’s efficiency so as to avert all types of dangers in advance in a modern way, initiate advance action through Disaster Management and achieve the peak goal of Disaster Management.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government has taken several steps to improve the efficiency of the personnel of this Department. For example:

� The solatium of Rs.5 lakh given to fire-fighters who died in action, has been increased to Rs.10 lakh. The solatium under the heads of permanent impairment, severe injuries and minor injuries has been doubled.

� The Government provides a grant of Rs.50 lakh every year to the Contingency Medical Fund of this Department. Through this fund, treatment was given to 2 fire fighters who sustained severe burns, and their lives were saved.

� A decision was taken to extend the relief assistance of Rs.3 lakh from the Chief Minister Relief Fund, given to

Police Personnel dying in harness, to the employees of the Fire and Rescue Services Department also. So far, the families of 92 personnel have benefited.

� By upgrading more than 1,000 posts, the stagnation in promotion and fixation of seniority has been removed and the employees’ long-standing dream of more than 15 years has been fulfilled.

� Fire-proof vests have been supplied to 3,980 fire-fighters.

� Deferring to necessity and to the long-standing demand of the Department, two posts of Additional Directors will be created.

It is certain that the personnel of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Departments will earn all our appreciation in future also by discharging their duties to our expectations and wishes and as per law.

I conclude my speech with the request that all Police personnel, realizing that they represent the identity of the khaki uniform, should become a model for duty consciousness, give solace to those deprived of their belongings, protect law and order, fight for the rights of the poor and the marginalized, and create a community free of caste and communal conflicts, honour killing and oppression. They should realize that they are soldiers in uniform and make Tamil Nadu a haven of peace and transform the State into a beacon light of equality and greatness for the entire world.


Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami under Rule 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 20.07.2019. (English Translation)


Tiruvalluvar held that rain should be considered as nectar as it alone perennially sustains living beings in the world (Vaanindru Ulagam Vazhangi Varudhalaal, thaan Amizhtham Endru Unarar Paatru).

Tamil Nadu has earned a name from the days of the Cholas for construction of inter-connected lakes and efficient water management. Realising the importance of water management, Hon’ble Amma made rain water harvesting a people’s movement. This Government that functions on the lines of

Hon’ble Amma is making several efforts to take forward conservation of rain water.

The 89 dams under the control of the Public Works Department in Tamil Nadu have a storage capacity of 238.58 t.m.c. ft. of water and the 14,098 big lakes in the state have another 521 t.m.c. ft. of water. Totally, the storage capacity is 759.58 t.m.c. ft. of water. Besides, there are 48,758 ponds, oorunis, water bodies and tanks which too store water.

To face the prevailing severe water shortage in the State and ensure that it does not recur in future, it is crucial to conserve water

Clarification on Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation and Augmentation Mission


and make the water resources conservation and augmentation mission a vigorous people’s movement. I wish to inform this House that Hon’ble Amma’s Government has formulated the following methods which it will adopt in making the water mission a people’s movement.

a) Conserving rain water, protecting water bodies and improving their capacity.

b) Re-charging ground water and stabilizing water supply.

c) Increasing the efficiency of water utilization in agriculture and other connected sectors and implementing a water conservation scheme for rain-fed area cultivation.

d) Reducing the demand for freshwater by using re-cycled water and through it, intensifying the concepts of re-cycling and re-use.

e) Retrieving the eco-system of rivers, important coastal areas, estuaries, rivulets and marshlands.

To take this Mission forward, the necessary schemes will be framed and implemented by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation and Rivers Restoration Corporation, set up already by this Government on the advice of a committee of experts and retired engineers, functioning under my leadership. At the District level, this scheme will be implemented by the District Collectors concerned with the help of the different Departments under them. At the grassroots level, a Water Conservation Board will be set up ward-wise in urban areas and in

Villages and Panchayat Unions; the scheme will ensure women’s participation in a big way.

As a special initiative to convert this Mission into a People’s Movement - 2019, a month-long intensive campaign movement will be launched, beginning with the first week of August. In this campaign, people’s representatives including Hon’ble Ministers will participate in a big way. District Collectors will co-ordinate the campaign works. This intensive campaign movement will be turned into a people’s movement by involving the corporate sector through their social responsibility fund, the general public, NGOs, private and voluntary organizations and enthusiasts. Through this vigorous movement, water bodies will be improved for storing more rain water, well before the onset of monsoon.

In this intensive phase, 1,829 works, costing Rs.499.68 crore and given sanction under the ‘kudimaramathu’ scheme for the year 2019-2020, and works sanctioned at a cost of Rs.61.38 crore for restoring channels in the delta area as a part of the pre-monsoon precautionary measure, will be taken up as important works and implemented.

Also to be taken up are the works to increase the capacity of water bodies like minor irrigation lakes, ponds and oorunis through the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. These works will be executed at a cost of Rs.1,250 crore, made up of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme fund of Rs.750 crore and a special grant of Rs.500 crore from the Tamil Nadu Government. The Hon’ble Minister for Rural


Development and Municipal Administration had announced in this House on 08.07.2019 that restoration works would be taken up in 114 of the 210 water bodies in Chennai Corporation area at a cost of Rs.100 crore. These works will be taken up soon by way of implementing this intensive campaign.

On 15.07.2019, I announced in this House many schemes connected with water augmentation. These works will be started soon as a part of this concerted campaign.

In continuation of this, the following steps will be taken as long-term measures by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation and Augmentation Mission.

1. Further identification of schemes for storing surplus water and flood water during monsoon periods, and their implementation. Continued efforts by Hon’ble Amma’s Government to persuade the Central Government to link the Godavari and Cauvery rivers.

2. For improving ground water re-charging capacity, particularly in over-exploited and critical firkas, designing and implementing schemes for creation of irrigation and non-irrigation lakes, and for construction of check dams and irrigational structures.

3. Schemes like improving water utilization skill in agriculture and other connected sectors and water conservation for rain-fed area cultivation will be encouraged.

Reducing the demand for freshwater through re-cycling and re-use of waste water

The State Government will shortly issue its policy on the re-use of treated water.

The quantum of waste water treated and released in Chennai Metro is 525 million litres per day. Of this, 34 million litres are re-used in factories and in other sectors. Reverse osmosis stage-II and stage-III water purification stations with a per day capacity of 45 million litres are also being constructed for supply to factories and for other usages. To carry forward these works, I announced in this House on 11.07.2019, a scheme costing Rs.1,700 crore for treating 360 million litres waste water per day by employing modern technology (TTUFT) and utilizing the 260 million litres of water obtained out of it in factories and for other uses including filling up lakes for re-charging ground water. I wish to inform this House that these works will be started soon.

Retrieving the ecosystem of rivers, important coastal areas, estuaries, rivulets and marshlands

Hon’ble Amma announced and implemented many schemes for retrieving the eco-system of several water bodies in Tamil Nadu and for their maintenance and conservation. Orders were issued for the development, particularly of Ooty lake, and also of many other lakes including the one at Chetpet in Chennai, many temple tanks, marshlands and water bodies in bird sanctuaries at a cost of Rs.176.14 crore. Hon’ble Amma’s Government also gives importance to environmental works and has executed many such works. They will be continued.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government has decided to implement an important project named ‘Nadandhai Vazhi Cauvery’– to totally insulate


the Cauvery river from pollution. A project report is being prepared for it. Likewise, to prevent pollution of the Bhavani, Vaigai, Amaravathi and Thamirabarani rivers, Hon’ble Amma’s Government will take appropriate steps.

Hon’ble Amma’s Government will monitor how the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Conservation and Augmentation Mission exhaustively handle and implement these short and long-term initiatives. Through this

campaign, water resources will be protected and developed and water conservation will be ensured in the State in future.

At this juncture, I request the public, the youth, private establishments, NGOs and industrial units to participate on a large scale with dedication in this Mission and protect the overall interests of the State. I also request the Hon’ble Members of this House to give their full co-operation to this Mission.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami made his personal donation of Rs.One lakh for ‘Annadhanam’ to devotees who come to worship

of Athi Varadhar at Devarajaswami Temple in Kancheepuram. The Hon’ble Chief Minister handed over the cheque for the amount to the Tourism, Culture and Hindu Religious and

Charitable Endowments Additional Chief Secretary, Thiru. Apurva Varma I.A.S., at the Secretariat in Chennai on 24.07.2019.

News in Picture


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, at the Secretariat on 24.06.2019, declared open through video conferencing, Panchayat Union office buildings built at a cost of Rs.2.43 crore, at Acharapakkam in Kancheepuram District. The Hon’ble Chief Minister also declared open 3 high-level bridges, constructed at a cost of 2.09 crore, in Vellore and Thoothukudi Districts.

A majority of Panchayat Union buildings in Tamil Nadu were more than 40 years old. Most of the buildings were in dilapidated conditions. Many Panchayat Union office have space constraint as they are functioning in small buildings. Panchayat Unions are functioning as nodal agencies in executing developmental works for Taluks. Common men approach their respective Panchayat Union offices for their basic requirements, such as housing, drinking water requirements, street lights, road and

other infrastructure facilities. To meet the basic requirements of people, Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami declared open buildings, built at a cost of Rs.2.43 crore for the Acharapakkam Panchayat Union.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister also dedicated a high-level bridge, constructed at a cost Rs.89 lakh at Pernambut-Ongkuppam road in Pernambut Panchayat Union for the public use. He dedicated another high-level bridge in Vilathikulam Panchayat Union in Thoothukudi District, built at a cost of Rs.60 lakh, on the Paruvakudi Vembar- Ramanoothu Road and the third high-level bridge in Mavilodai Road in Pudur Panchayat Union, Pudur, built at a cost of Rs.60 lakh.

Totally Panchayat Union buildings and 3 high-level bridges, all built at a total cost of Rs.4.52 crore were declared open by Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami.


Speech of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, after declaring open the portrait of Thiru. S.S.Ramasami Padayatchiyar in the

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 19.07.2019. (English Translation).

I bow before Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, who worked day and night to protect social justice.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, who is presiding over the function, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition, Hon’ble Parliament Members, Hon’ble MLAs, Hon’ble former Ministers, Government Whip, leaders belonging to various Political Parties and friends from the print and visual media; At the outset I offer my respects to all of you.

I also welcome Thiru. Ramadoss, son of Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar who is the hero of today’s function, and his family members, as well as others who have come for the function out of their love and affection for Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar.

In keeping with the lines of Puratchi Thalaivar’s song,‘Irundhaalum, Maraindhaalum Paer Solla Vendum, Ivar Pola Yaarendru Oor Solla Vendum’ (If one lives or dies, the world must speak of one with respect, The world should say that there was none like him), the esteemed Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar led his life in such a way that he became a legend in his lifetime. I really feel proud in declaring open his portrait in this historic Assembly. This day is a memorable day in the history of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government are exemplars in honoring those who worked for the Country and for society. In keeping with this, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government feels proud in declaring open


Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar’s portrait to honour his selfless service and to cherish his memories for posterity. One should not forget that it is because of the selfless sacrifices made by many freedom fighters that the Country is growing rapidly today. Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar is one such freedom fighter.

Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar started the Tamil Nadu Toilers’ Party in 1952 and in the Assembly election held in the same year, 19 Members belonging to his party were declared elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly. In the Lok Sabha election also, his Party Members won from 4 Constituencies. Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar never hesitated to work in co-ordination with other leaders in serving the people. He served in the Ministry of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar from 1954 as Minister for Local Administration. Then in 1980 and 1984 he was Member of Parliament.

Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar was at the forefront as a leader in espousing the cause of the oppressed and Backward Class people. He was instrumental in forming the Most Backward Class group among the Backward Class people. His party was the first to adopting a resolution in its conference, demanding 20 per cent reservation for Vanniyars in the State and 2 per cent reservation in the Centre.

Adopting the resolution alone is not important but its success is Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar continued to pressurise the Central and State Governments to take further action on the resolution.

Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar toiled throughout his life for the people belonging to his community to come up in life, and it is our good fortune that he was born and lived in this Country. To honour him I announced in

the Legislative Assembly on 29.06.2018 that his birth anniversary on September 16 will be celebrated as a Government function.

People, belonging to the Vanniyar Community, Hon’ble Ministers and Hon’ble MLAs placed a demand to me that a memorial should be erected in his native Cuddalore District and a life-size bronze statue of Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar should be installed in the Memorial. Respecting their demand, I announced at a Government function in Mettur on 19.07.2018 that a memorial with a full-size bronze statue of Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar would be installed.

Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma proved many times that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government not only made promises but also implemented them faithfully. Trained by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, we, her disciples, not only honoured the promises that we made but also did things which we had not promised. The Government allotted 1.5 acres of land in Cuddalore District for Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar’s memorial with his life-size bronze statue, to be constructed at a cost of Rs.2.15 crore. The foundation stone for the Memorial was laid on 14.09.2018. I am happy to announce that the Memorial will be declared open shortly.

The life-like painting of Thiru. Ramasami Padayatchiyar declared open today reflects his majesty, dignity and his commanding personality. I congratulate the painter for etching this portrait.

I thank and congratulate all those who participated in large numbers in the function and made it a grand success.

Nandri, Vanakkam!



Villupuram Municipality was formed on 01.10.1919 as a third grade Municipality with 33 wards of 8.35 sq.k.m. of land. It was gradually upgraded and became Selection Grade Municipality in 1988. At present, with an area of 33.13 sq.k.m. of land, the Municipality is functioning with 42 wards.

Villupuram bus stand and railway station are important Junctions for those travelling from Northern Districts to Southern Districts and vice versa.

At present, the Municipality has 183.17 k.m. of roads, 6,367 street lights,

underground drainage facilities in 33 wards and drinking water facilities for 14,000 houses. The Municipality with an annual income of Rs.28.68 crore, is meeting the basic needs of the people.

I am happy to announce in the House that the Hon’ble Amma’s Government will sanction Rs.60 crore for infrastructure development, making provisions for drinking water, street lights and road facilities, underground drainage, bus stops, parks, ponds, Anganwadi Centres, and Service Centres for the Municipality, which has created history by completing 100 years.

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami under Rule 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 18.07.2019 (English Translation)


AGRICULTURE

In view of the favourable climatic conditions in Krishnagiri District, Rose, Jasmine, Mullai, Kanakambaram, Samanthi, Jerpara and Carnation flowers are cultivated in about 3,702 hectares of land in the District with an annual production of 39,383 tonnes. The flowers produced here are marketed not only in local Sandhai but in other Districts in Tamil Nadu and in other States also.

The flowers are also exported to countries like Australia, Singapore and Malaysia through Auction Centres in Bangalore.

Petitions have been received from cultivators, sellers and flower exporters of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode Districts for setting up an International Flower Export Auction Centre at Hosur. Accepting their genuine demand, it has been decided to set up an International Auction Centre at Hosur at a cost of Rs.20.20 crore. To facilitate procurement at global level, auction centres, packaging centres, administrative office, air-conditioned rooms and quality control laboratory will be set up with digital facilities.

The proposed Auction Centre will not only enhance the income of farmers but also generate additional employment, besides increasing the income of cultivating farmers.

REVENUE

1. Considering the demands of Hon’ble Ministers, MLAs and the public, the present two big Districts, Tirunelveli and Kancheepuram will be bifurcated for administrative convenience. Tirunelveli District will be split into 2 and a new District will be formed with Tenkasi as headquarters. Similarly, Kancheepuram District will be divided into two with Chengalpattu as the headquarters for the new District.

I am happy to announce that two IAS Officers, one each for the proposed new District will be appointed as Special Officers.

2. The present Amma Government is giving priority for finding solutions to the grievances of the public. People’s Grievance Days are being conducted every Monday and Friday, Amma Thittam Camps are also held under the chairmanship of the respective Tahsildars. Special Grievance Days are also conducted for farmers, pensioners and for Differently Abled persons.

In these grievance days, issues relating to patta transfer, Social Security Schemes and pensions under the ‘Chief Minister’s Uzhavar Pathukappu Thittam’ and destitute windows and Differently Abled persons are settled then and there. Free house site pattas, community certificates, income certificates and legal heir certificates are issued immediately in these camps.

To strengthen the grievance day machinery further, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has decided to introduce a Special Grievance Day in the State, known as Chief Minister’s Special Grievance Scheme. Under the new scheme, petitions will be collected directly from people in wards in Towns and in Villages for finding solutions to people’s grievances. The Special Scheme will be implemented in August and September. An official committee, consisting of officials from Revenue Department, Rural Development Department / Urban Development Department and other Departments, will be set up as per the directive of the District Collectors. This committee will collect petitions directly from people before the end of August after giving due publicity to the visit of the committee. These petitions are uploaded in computers and sent to the respective departments within a week. Solutions to these petitions will be found within a month.


After finding solutions to the petitions, functions will be organized at Taluk level under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Ministers. Apart from distribution of Welfare Schemes on behalf of various Departments, solutions to basic requirements such as road facilities, street lights, health and medicines and distribution of drinking water supply will be found in these functions. This will be an important Special Scheme for settling the grievances of the public.

I would like to inform that Rs. 25,000 will be sanctioned to each Taluk totalling Rs.76.25 lakh for the entire State for proper implementation of the scheme.

3. New Revenue Divisional Offices and Housing quarters for Arani Division in Tiruvannamalai District and Thirumangalam Division in Madurai District, sanctioned at a cost of Rs.6.26 crore. Similarly for 13 Taluks, namely Mohanur in Namakkal District, Thisayanvilai in Tirunelveli District, Kallikudi in Madurai District, Eral in Thoothukudi District, R.S.Mangalam in Ramanathapuram District, Anamalai in Coimbatore District, Anjetti in Krishnagiri District, Thiruvattar and Killiyoor in Kanniyakumari District, Gujiliamparai in Dindigul District, R.K.Pettai in Tiruvallur District, Vathirayiruppu in Virudhunagar District and Pugalur in Karur District, Taluk office buildings and quarters will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 60.18 crore. Totally Rs.66.44 crore will be spent for these buildings.

4. In Gaja-affected Districts, to set up Solar Fish Drying Centres, Artificial Breeding Centres to provide conducive conditions to improve fish resources, marine / brackish water fishing banks, sea-weed and mollusc growing centres for alternative livelihood support for fishermen and Mobile Fish Sales Centers for youth in fishing community, Rs.31.15 crore will be provided.

5. Revised land survey will be conducted in 29 upgraded towns in the State in three phases by three groups using GPS devices and digital measuring gadgets, at a cost of Rs.30.29 crore.

ADI DRAVIDAR AND TRIBAL WELFARE

1. To provide houses for all tribal community people and basic facilities such as protected drinking water supply and link roads and pathways, street lights and solar lamps in colonies, Rs.50 crore will be spent in the first phase.

2. It has become imperative to improve the standard of schools near the tribal colonies to prevent tribal students dropping out from the schools and to avoid travelling long distances for attending schools. In the current Academic Year, Tribal Residential Primary School at Ezhuthur in Villupuram District will be upgraded as Middle School. Similarly, 3 Tribal Residential Middle Schools, one each in Paacheri in Villupuram District, Arasaveli in Tiruvannamalai District and Bokkaapuram in Nilgiris District will be converted into Residential High Schools and the Residential High School in Innadu in Villupuram District will be upgraded as Higher Secondary School. All these upgradations will be done at a cost of Rs.6.43 crore.

3. To enable Adi Dravidar people to celebrate their family functions in a grand manner, I am happy to announce that 5 community halls will be constructed one each in K.Puliankulam in Madurai District, Vangal Kutchipalayam in Karur District, Karimangalam in Dharmapuri District, Goundampalayam in Namakkal District and Rengasamudram in Tirunelveli District at a cost of Rs.1 crore per hall and totalling Rs.5 crore.


It is informed that the last date of filing intimation of option to pay 6% tax (3% Central tax + 3% State tax) under Composition Scheme

by registered service providers in “FORM GST CMP-02” in the manner specified has been extended from 31.07.2019 to 30.09.2019

I bring to your kind attention the plight of Thiru. AdithyaaVasudevan, aged 27 years, who hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was taken into custody along with 22 other Sailors, 18 of them are Indians, when their ship “IMPERO”, an UK registered ship was detained by the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

It is reported that Thiru. Adithyaa Vasudevan, working in the ship “IMPERO” as Third Officer was sailing from Fujairah, UAE to Jubail, Saudi Arabia and was detained on

19th July, 2019 along with 22 other Sailors (including 18 other Indian crew) at Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The father of Thiru. Adithyaa Vasudevan has represented to the Government of Tamil Nadu for his early release and repatriation.

I request your good office to direct the authorities concerned and secure the immediate release and repatriation of Thiru. Adithyaa Vasudevan and other Sailors to India.

Text of the D.O. letter dated 03.08.2019 of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, addressed to Dr. S. Jaishankar,

Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, New Delhi.


Clarification of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 19.07.2019, on modernization of Police Force and

Special Schemes for the welfare of the families of Police Personnel, implemented by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma during AIADMK regimes. (English Translation)

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,The DMK listed the welfare measures

it brought for the Police Department during its regime. During the period of AIADMK’s matchless leader Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. and Idhaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma several welfare measures have been implemented for the Police. I would like to list some of them here. 1977 – 1987:

� Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation was started in the year 1980.

� But in 1989, the Corporation was wound up during DMK rule. However, it was revived again by the Idhaya Deivam Puratchi Thalaivi Amma when she became the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1991.

� Idol smuggling wing was started in 1983.

� For the first time, distribution of ration articles at subsidized prices to Police Personnel was started during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rule.

1991-1996: � The Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services

Recruitment Board to recruit

personnel for the Police Department, Prison Department and Fire Services Department was formed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government.

� All Women Police Station was inaugurated during Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s regime on 13.04.1992.

� Special Task Force was set up in the year 1993.

� Coastal Security Group was started in the year 1994.

2001-2006: � Highway Patrol System was introduced.

2011-2018 � To provide own houses for Policemen

and Uniformed Personnel, the dream scheme of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma - Own Your House - was introduced by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.

� Under the scheme, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma distributed 2,673 houses on a 7.6 acre site in Melakottaiyur Village. I am happy to inform that apart from this, with a view to expand the scheme, the Government is actively considering construction of houses


under the ‘Own Your House’ scheme on a 52.40 acre site in Keelakottaiyur village also. The Government is also planning to extend the scheme to 10 more Districts. The scheme was introduced by Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and the present Government is planning to expand the scheme.

� To protect the health of Policemen, the Government has made facilities for the Master Medical Health Check-up for a full body medical checkup once in a year.

� Under the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund Scheme, cash compensation to the families of Policemen in case of natural death has been increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.3 lakh.

� Under the Policemen Insurance Scheme, amount has been increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.4 lakh.

� Tamil Nadu Special Police Youth Brigade was started.

� 1.2 lakh Tamil Nadu Police Personnel and ministerial staff have been connected under Unified Closed User Group (CUG) Mobile Network Scheme.

� To relieve the stress of Policemen due to work pressure and family circumstances, the Government has entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science, Bengaluru, to give psychological training to Policemen. For this, the Government has sanctioned Rs.10 crore. The Scheme has been introduced to relieve stress among Policemen due to work pressure and among family members.

� To curb crimes against women, a Special Wing has been created under an Additional Director.

� I would like to inform through you, Sir, that Amma’s Government has been giving Rs.10 lakh to families of Policemen who die while performing acts of valour in service and Rs.4 lakh if they lose eye sight, two legs, two hands, besides offering many welfare schemes for Policemen.

� Similarly, the question of promotion was mentioned here. At present, 150 cadre posts are allowed in the Indian Police forces. Of these, 69 posts are in the rank of Director General of Police, Additional Director General of Police, IG and DIG. In these posts, I.P.S. officers are appointed.

The remaining 81 posts are in the rank of Police Superintendents. Of these 81 posts, 47 are filled through I.P.S. officers. In the remaining 32 posts (10 Districts, 14 Deputy Commissioners, and 8 Special Wings), Tamil Nadu Police Service candidates are appointed as Deputy Superintendents/ Direct Assistant Inspectors (31 Deputy Superintendents and 1 Assistant Inspector). They are now appointed as Superintendents of Police on promotion. Two more posts remain vacant. There is the provision that non-I.P.S. officers can be appointed in the cadre posts. Appointment of 32 officers is done taking into consideration cadre of respective posts and for administrative reasons. At present, in the cadre posts, 58 per cent I.P.S. officers and 40 per cent non-I.P.S. officers are appointed.

It is in practice to appoint non-I.P.S. officers in the cadre posts. I would like to inform the Member through you (Speaker Sir), that especially from 2006 to 2011, 48 cadre posts (21 Districts, 17 Deputy Superintendents and 10 Special Wings) are filled with non-I.P.S. officers.


HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE


Through the implementation of new health programmes, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government has become a model for other States. I am extremely happy to announce the following schemes for the current year aimed at providing quality medical services to people further.

1. A Centre of Excellence for Cancer will be set up at an estimate of Rs.120 crore at the Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Karapettai, Kancheepuram District.

2. Additional Primary Health Centres and Urban Primary Health Centres in the State will be upgraded into Welfare Centres at a cost of Rs.105 crore to provide 12 integrated health services like prevention and mitigation of illness, pain relief, rehabilitation and upgrading of treatment, etc.

3. Under the ‘Wellness for All’ scheme, new buildings will be constructed at a cost of Rs.79.93 crore for 296 sub-health centres.

4. The Government District Headquarters Hospital, Erode will be upgraded as a super speciality hospital at a cost of Rs.67.76 crore with

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami under Rule 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 17.07.2019.



neurology, cardiology, cancer, ophthalmology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, burns, renal and CEmONC wards.

5. The first one hour is considered the golden period to save persons who sustain head injuries in accidents. Appropriate first aid given during this time can avert deaths. Towards this end, a multi-disciplinary critical care unit, to give world class intensive treatment, will be set up under the Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency Service Initiative in one of the hospitals in each of the 32 Districts at a cost of Rs.49.01 crore.

6. A rehabilitation centre with all facilities and modern equipment on par with developed countries, will be set up at a cost of Rs.40 crore at the Government Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, K.K.Nagar, Chennai for providing physiotherapy treatment to victims of accidents undergoing treatment and patients of long duration.

7. A linear accelerator equipment, costing Rs.16 crore will be provided to Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem District in the current year for cancer treatment.

8. A counselling centre to serve through the toll free ‘104’ phone service will be set up in 22 medical college hospitals at a cost of Rs.6.72 crore, to prevent suicide deaths.

9. A new Health District with Athur as Headquarters will be created by bifurcating Salem Health District.

10. As a new initiative for ensuring easy availability of medicines for tuberculosis, diabetes and hypertension patients, 32 automatic drug-vending machines will be installed at a cost of Rs.80 lakh in 23 Government Medical College Hospitals and in 5 Urban Health Centres in Greater Chennai Municipal Corporation. The machines will vend 28 types of medicines.

11. I am happy to state that steps will be taken, as a novel effort, to improve Government hospital services and make the hospitals function with a new lustre under the name ‘My Hospital My Pride’, with the social participation of willing industrial establishments.

TRANSPORT


1. The Tamil Nadu Government that functions on the lines of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, has inducted many new buses in the past years in the service of the people. I am very happy to state that in the current year


also, 2,000 new buses will be put on the roads at an estimate of Rs.600 crore.

2. I am extremely happy to state that 10 Government Transport Corporation workshops will be upgraded and modernized in the current year at a cost of Rs.50 crore. The funds will be raised through Government financial institutions.

DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

Nineteen District Co-operative Milk Producers Unions and a Co-operative Milk Producers Federation are functioning in Tamil Nadu. Some of the unions, till date, have been covering 2 to 4 Districts.

To facilitate timely service through milk producers unions and help consumers get quality Aavin milk and milk products without hassles and near their places of residence :

1. A new Co-operative Milk Producers Union with Karur as headquarters will be formed

from Tiruchirapalli District Co-operative milk Producers Union;

2. A new Co-operative Milk Producers Union with Dharmapuri as headquarters will be formed from Dharmapuri-Krishnagiri District Union;

3. A new Co-operative Milk Producers Union with Theni as headquarters will be formed from Madurai District Union;

4. A new Co-operative Milk Producers Union with Thoothukkudi as headquarters will be formed from Tirunelveli District Union;

5. A new Co-operative Milk Producers Union with Cuddalore as headquarters will be formed from Villupuram-Cuddalore District Union.

Through these bifurcations, I am happy to state that milk procurement through Aavin will increase from 33 lakh litres to 35 lakh litres a day and Aavin milk sale from 22.5 lakh litres to 25 lakh litres.


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, at the Secretariat on 24.07.2019, handed over appointment orders to 7 visually challenged persons who had completed book binding training in Industrial Training Institute in Poonamallee, as Junior Binders in the Government Presses of the Stationery and Printing Department.

The Stationery and Printing Department prints standardized Forms and Registers, Department Books, Birth and Death Certificates, Election Forms and National Population Registry and supplies the same to Government Departments throughout the State. Besides, the Department also procures new machines,

spare parts and papers for Government Presses and appoints employees for the Government Presses. Fourteen per cent of the employees in the Stationery and Printing Department are Differently abled.

To provide employment opportunities to alternately abled persons who have been trained in Book Binding work in the Poonamallee Government ITI, rules were relaxed as a special case and selections made based on seniority of training. Through the Stationery and Printing Department, 7 visually challenged persons were selected for the post of Junior Book Binders and the selected candidates were given appointment orders by the Hon’ble Chief Minister at the Secretariat.


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, at the Secretariat on 29.07.2019, greeted the winners of various events at the 62nd All India Police Duty Meet – 2018 held at Lucknow. Thirteen participants of the meet, who won 4 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals and 4 Bronze Medals in various events and 2 trainers were present on the occasion. Ms.P. Anuradha, who won the Gold Medal in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held in Australia earlier this year, also met the Hon’ble Chief Minister at the Secretariat and received the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s good wishes.

The 62nd All India Police Duty Meet was held in Lucknow from 16.07.2018 to 20.07.2018

in which Policemen, Officers and Sniffer Dog Squad and Photography Department from 21 States and one Union Territory participated.

In the Police Duty Meet, Inspector Thiru. S.John Victor, Constable Thiru. A.Martin (Dog Trainer) and Senior Constable Thiru. I. Muruganandam won the gold medals, Sub-Inspector Thiru. A. Vijay, won Gold and Silver Medals, Sub-Inspector Thiru. S.A.Veerasami, Constable Thiru. B.Loganathan (Dog Trainer) and Head Constable Thiru. A.Muralidaran won Silver Medals and Sub-Inspector Thiru. K.Vignesh Prabhu, Constable Thiru. N. Jayaraj, Inspector Tmt. K. Aruna Sri and Sub-Inspector Tmt. J.Indumathi won Bronze Medals. In the Scientific Crime Investigation, the team


led by Additional Superintendent of Police, Thiru. S.Arumugasami won the Overall Championship. The second place in the Overall Championship in Scientific Crime Investigation was won by Inspector Tmt. R.Jayasudha and Sub-inspector Tmt. S.Bharathi and the Overall Team Championship for Sniffer Dog Competition was won by the Tamil Nadu team led by Inspector Thiru. V.Kamalakannan. These medal-winning Police Officers along with

2 trainers met the Hon’ble Chief Minister, who congratulated them for their performance.

Sub-Inspector Selvi P.Anuradha of Thogur Police Station in Thanjavur District, who won the Gold Medal for weight lifting in the 87 kg category in the Commonwealth Games held in APIA town in SAMOA Island in Australia from 09.07.2019 to 14.07.2019 also met and received the good wishes of the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

To provide more channels at an affordable cost, Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma in May 2011 rejuvenated the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited, which gave 100 channels for a nominal monthly subscription of Rs. 70 only to subscribers.

Due to the consistent efforts of Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited received MSO license from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for digital broadcasting by the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation

Limited and it was inaugurated by me on 01.09.2017.

The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited has procured 36 lakh set top boxes and distributed them free to 35.12 lakh subscribers. At present, the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited is providing most channels viewed by the public. Accepting the demand of the public, I am happy to announce that Hon’ble Puratchi Thalaivi Amma’s Government has fixed the monthly subscription at Rs. 130 plus GST.

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami, regarding reduction in the subscription rates for the subscribers of the

Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited on 31.07.2019 (English Translation)


HANDLOOMS AND TEXTILES


1. To encourage members of the Handloom Weavers Co-operative societies and improve their living standards by increasing their income, a 10 per cent increase will be effected in their Dearness Allowance. This will benefit about 2 lakh handloom weavers in 1,137 co-operative societies to the tune of Rs.14 crore a year.

2. Under the scheme for distribution of dhotis and sarees at no cost, the wages for powerloom weavers will be increased to Rs.43 from Rs. 39.27 per saree and to Rs.24 from Rs.21.60 per dhoti. For pedal-loom weavers, the increase will be to Rs.90.29 from Rs. 85.67 in the case of saree and to Rs.69.58 from Rs.65.75 in the case of dhoti. Likewise, Hon’ble Amma’s Government will increase the per metre wages, under the scheme to Rs.12.16 from Rs.11.32. The hike will benefit 54,000 powerloom and 10,500 pedal-loom wage earners throughout Tamil Nadu, to an extent of about Rs.11.23 crore.

3. The Primary Handloom Weavers Co-operative Societies are getting working capital, under NABARD Bank’s Refinance

Scheme, as cash loan through the District Central Co-operative Bank. The Tamil Nadu Government is providing a 4 per cent subsidy for such loans. By way of reducing the interest burden, as announced in the new Tamil Nadu Integrated Textile Policy 2019, the subsidy to the societies will be increased to 6 per cent. Expenditure on account of this will go up to Rs.21.60 crore from Rs.14.40 crore in a year.

Statement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami under Rule 110

in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 16.07.2019. (English Translation)


AGRICULTURE


1. Giving importance to palm (‘Panai’) trees, ‘the protector of ground water’, Hon’ble Amma’s Government will distribute in the current year, 2.5 crore palm seeds to farmers, in the first phase, through the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments at a cost of Rs.10 crore for raising these trees in a larger scale in rain-fed and coastal areas. In the coming years also, this work will be continued.

2. To store and distribute quality agriculture inputs to farmers, Hon’ble Amma’s Government has so far upgraded, with infrastructure facilities, 17 Sub-Agriculture Extension Centres. In the current year also, Rs.40 crore will be allotted for construction of these centres with 100 seed- storing godowns.

3. As Tamil Nadu’s climate is conducive to the cultivation of extra-long staple cotton crop and as it fetches remunerative prices to farmers, Rs.11 crore will be allotted in the current year to provide inputs to farmers including extra-long staple cotton seeds, bio-fertilizers and cotton harvesting machine, at subsidized rates.

4. Millets that provide micro-nutrients for our health, can be cultivated not only with less water but also in areas where the soil fertility is poor. To increase the cultivation and thereby the production of these crops, Rs.13.20 crore will be allotted in the current year for popularizing the technology involved, like distribution of quality seeds, integrated crop protection, integrated nutrition management and distribution of hand-sprayers for safe-guarding the crop, through demonstrations, seminars and awareness campaigns.

5. A ‘Horticulture Heritage Park’ will be set up on 5.5 acres of land, owned by the Department of Agriculture Engineering, at Washermanpet, Chennai, at a cost of Rs.5 crore, so as to attract the urban population.

6. To help sugarcane farmers take up cultivation work in time, 11 machinery hiring centres, sponsored either by co-operative sugar mills or farmer-producer bodies or private entrepreneurs, are functioning at present. The Government provides 40 per cent subsidy, subject to a maximum of Rs.60 lakh, for purchase of machinery for these centres. In the current year, 10 hiring centres for sugarcane cultivation machinery will be additionally set up on an allotment of Rs.6 crore.

7. For the welfare of the rain-fed area farmers, Rs.15 crore will be allotted in the current year for creating 150 more value addition centres .

8. In the current year, 243 farm machine hiring centres will be set up at village level at a cost of Rs.19.44 crore.

9. Farm machines are rented out at low rates through the Department of Agricultural Engineering to farmers who cannot afford to purchase very costly agriculture machinery. In the current year, Rs.70.30 crore will be allotted for purchase of such machines through the Department of Agricultural Engineering, for use by farmers.

10. A value addition centre for coconut will be set up at a cost of Rs.16 crore in Kanniyakumari, a District high in coconut cultivation. Facilities like godown with a capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes, hall for exchange, shops, drying yard, solar drier, unit for production of virgin coconut oil and


machinery for value addition to coconut, will be provided.

11. To ensure availability of certified quality seeds to farmers, seed purification stations with godown facility are being set up for farmer-producer organizations. Work on setting up 30 such stations, after disbursal of Rs.60 lakh as subsidy per group, is going on. In the current year, seed purification stations will be set up in 20 farmer-producer organizations at a cost of Rs.12 crore.

12. To ensure minimum support price for farmers, a ‘price support’ scheme is being implemented effectively and farmers are benefited. In the current year, Government is procuring directly, besides 3,000 metric tonnes of green dhal and 9,000 metric tonnes of urad dhal, 50,000 metric tonnes of copra also. For this, facilities inclusive of additional shops, electronic weighing platform and computer, will be created in 90 regulatory markets and 100 Uzhavar Sandhai’s at a cost of Rs.268.62 crore.

13. For farmer-producer organizations to get credit and start industries and to implement, with assistance from NABKISAN Finance Company of NABARD, schemes like capital assistance, credit guarantee scheme and interest

assistance scheme, loan up to Rs.266 crore will be provided in the current year.

14. Infrastructure facilities will be created at a cost of Rs.100 crore for setting up at farm level, solar powered small refrigeration units in the districts of Madurai, Salem, Erode, Thoothukkudi and Kancheepuram for preserving farm produce.

15. The necessary infrastructure facilities have been created for setting up 509 collection centres and 62 primary processing units at a cost of Rs.482 crore under the ‘Supply Chain Management Scheme’ for fruits, vegetables and highly perishable articles in the 10 districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Nilgris, Tiruchirapalli, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi and Tirunelveli. They will be brought into operation shortly. The scheme will be extended to 5 more Districts – Salem, Erode, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Tiruvannamalai – at a cost of Rs.100 crore.

16. Subsidy is given to subsidiary water management works like installing pipes to take irrigation water near the fields without wastage and setting up ground-level water tanks. I am happy to state that in the current year also, Hon’ble Amma’s Government will spend Rs.116.29 crore for these works.


HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT


1. Rs. 10 crore will be diverted from temple funds to provide assistance to 1,000 temples, which are not under HR & CE control and located in SC/ST localities for taking up maintenance works at the rate of Rs. One lakh per temple.

2. To take up repair and renovation works in 1,000 temples which are short of financial resources under the control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department in rural areas, Rs.10 crore will be diverted from temple funds at the rate of Rs. one lakh per temple. With this, I resume my seat.


Vellaiyaru in Tiruvarur District is being restored under The Asian Development Bank Scheme. The river is under the maintenance of the Water Resources Department. To relocate the people living on the banks of the river in Ayakudi Village, coming under Mannargudi Assembly Constituency, Koothanallur Taluk, the Public Works Department is constructing residential quarters – 72 in the first stage and 82 in the second phase – at Thittanimuttam village, Koothanallur taluk on Government

poramboke land. The construction will be completed in 6 months. I wish to inform the Hon’ble Member through this House that a census of the residents of the village will be taken by the Public Works and Revenue Departments and they will be relocated through allotment of houses. A request has also been made for reconstructing the damaged bridge. The Government will examine it and take steps. Government’s attention has also been drawn to a railway overbridge. The Government will look into that also.

Clarification of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K. Palaniswami in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 17.07.2019,

on restoration of Vellaiyaru in Tiruvarur District. (English Translation)


Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami named 3 lion cubs and 4 tiger cubs at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur in Kancheepuram District, on 10.09.2019. The Hon’ble Chief Minister also opened for visitors, a newly developed rhinocerous enclosure.

The number of lions and tigers are increasing at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur as they are all well maintained at the park. One male cub and two female cubs were born to lion Siva and lioness Neela on 06.01.2019 and these cubs were named by the

Hon’ble Chief Minister as Pradeep, Dakshina and Niranjana.

Similarly, two female cubs, including one white tiger cub and one male cub were born to male tiger Vijay and female tiger Uthra and male tiger Nakula and female tiger Narmada. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami named these four cubs as Mithran, Yuga, Venmathi and Rithwik.

Greeting of the Hon’be Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru. Edappadi K.Palaniswami on the occasion

of Bakrid on 11.08.2019 (English Translation)

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to my beloved Muslim community people, who are celebrating Bakrid, the festival that glorifies sacrifice”.

“Accepting the command of God, Ibrahim, the messenger of God, sacrificed his only son Ismail. This day is being celebrated by Muslims all over the world to recollect Ibrahim’s passion for God and his sacrifice”.

“People should keep in mind the Quran’s teachings that God lives among those people who fear God and practice good conduct. I appeal to people to practice good conduct and live in unity so that Love, Peace and Humanism prevail in the world. Once again, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Bakrid’’.

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